WASHINGTON, D.C., June 15, 2026 – On April 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed a complaint against Mike Godberson Gage Godberson a/k/a Gage Farms of Pawnee, Okla., for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA investigation revealed between August 2023 and October 2023, Godberson failed to pay $1,255,140 for 991 head of livestock, in violation of the P&S Act. The P&S Act requires regulated entities to issue full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following the purchase and transfer of possession. As of the date of the complaint, $109,410 remained unpaid.
In addition, around Sept. 12, 2023, Godberson issued a nonsufficient funds check in payment for livestock purchases which was returned unpaid by the bank due to insufficient funds, in violation of the P&S Act.
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 Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.