Washington, D.C., Oct. 16, 2026 – On Aug. 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Kewanee Sale Barn Inc (Kewanee) of Kewanee, Ill., resolving an alleged violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under this agreement, Kewanee waived its right to a hearing and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $750.
A USDA investigation revealed Kewanee’s livestock scale failed a test on Oct. 23, 2025, and a rejection tag was placed on the scale. Kewanee then weighed livestock on the inaccurate scale on Oct. 24, 2025, and Oct. 31, 2025. The scale passed inspection and was placed-in-service on Nov. 4, 2025. The P&S Act requires regulated entities to maintain and operate accurate scales when used to weigh for purchase and/or sale of livestock.
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. USDA may also give alleged violators the option to waive their right to a hearing and enter into a stipulation agreement, allowing the matter to be resolved more quickly.
For more information, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at 202-720-7051 or PSDWashingtonDC@usda.gov.
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