WASHINGTON, May 22, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed a complaint against Two Brother Farms LLC and Joel Wingard of Middlebury, Ind., on March 21, 2025, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service investigation revealed Wingard operating as Two Brother Farms, failed to pay timely for 772 head of livestock, valued at $106,385 in Dec. 2022. As of March 21, 2025, approximately $76,004 for livestock purchases remains unpaid. In addition, Wingard failed to keep and maintain all purchase and sale invoices, checks, bank statements, dealer receipts, and other records necessary to document business operations under the P&S Act.
The P&S Act requires subject entities to issue the full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to issue payment timely for livestock purchases and failure to issue the full payment for purchases is an unfair trade practice and a violation of the P&S Act.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority under the P&S Act to act against violators, including issuing orders to cease and desist, suspending registrations, and applying other appropriate remedies as authorized by the Act.
For information about the P&S Act, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or by email at Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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