Washington, D.C., May 13, 2026 – On April 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed a complaint against Gary Seals doing business as Gary Seals Livestock of Dunlap, Tenn., for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service investigation revealed that from June 27, 2023, through July 10, 2023, Mr. Seals failed to pay timely for 712 head of livestock totaling $1,019,088, and issued six checks that were returned for insufficient funds totaling $787,462. The livestock sellers were not fully paid until July 2025.
The P&S Act requires regulated entities to issue full payment due for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to do so is a violation of the P&S Act and regulations.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority to take action against violators, including issuing orders to cease and desist, suspending registrations, and applying other appropriate remedies as authorized by the P&S Act.
For information about the P&S Act, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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