Washington, D.C., Oct. 29, 2026 – On Oct. 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a Consent Decision and Order with Intermountain Packing LLC (Intermountain) of Idaho Falls, Idaho settling an administrative complaint USDA filed on Dec. 23, 2024, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA investigation revealed that between September and December 2023, Intermountain operated while being insolvent and failed to pay for 2,884 head of livestock totaling $3,877,905. Livestock sellers were notified of their right to file packer trust claims for the outstanding amounts owed for their livestock. As of the date of the consent decision being signed, Intermountain owed $2,120,973 for livestock purchases. Furthermore, evidence was found that trust assets were being used to pay for Intermountain’s loans, payroll, and other administrative costs that do not relate to the preservation or proper administration of the existing trust. The use of trust assets in this manner violated the P&S Act and regulations.
Under the Consent Decision and Order, Intermountain was ordered to cease and desist from operating without being financially solvent, failing to pay, when due, the full purchase price of livestock, and using trust funds in any way except for the proper preservation and payment of any trust claims owed.
In addition, Intermountain was ordered to pay a civil penalty equal to the amount owed to livestock sellers in the amount of $2,120,973. However, the civil penalty order will be reducible, dollar for dollar, in the amount any payments are made to the livestock sellers toward the amount owed.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority to take action against violators, including issuing cease and desist orders, suspending registrations, and imposing other remedies authorized by the P&S Act.
For more information, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at 202-720-7051 or PSDWashingtonDC@usda.gov.
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