Washington, D.C., Sept. 9, 2026 – On Aug. 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a Consent Decision and Order with Bluegrass Lamb Company LLC and Valerie Samutin of Glendale, Ky., settling an administrative complaint USDA filed on April 24, 2026, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA investigation revealed between February 2024 and April 2024, Bluegrass Lamb Company and Valerie Samutin failed to pay $231,815 for livestock purchases, 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. The livestock sellers were notified of their right to file packer trust claims for the outstanding amounts owed to them for their livestock. As of the date of the complaint, the trust showed $164,712 remained unpaid.
Under the Consent Decision and Order, Bluegrass Lamb Company and Valerie Samutin were ordered to cease and desist from failing to pay, when due, the full purchase price of livestock. Bluegrass Lamb Company and Valerie Samutin also agreed to not operate as a packer as defined by the Act until the matter in Hardin Circuit Court Division II, Case Number 24-Cl-01943 is adjudicated or closed and resolved.
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.