Washington, D.C., Oct. 16, 2026 – On May 12, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed a complaint against Van Zandt Livestock Exchange LLC (Van Zandt), and its owners, Christopher W. Tyre (Tyre), and Jessie L. Lowry (Lowry), of Wills Point, Texas, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA investigation revealed that between September 2022 and December 2022, Van Zandt and its owners, Tyre and Lowry, sold livestock on a commission basis in 78 transactions totaling approximately $189,881. The checks Van Zandt issued to multiple livestock sellers for net proceeds due from the sales were returned unpaid by the bank due to insufficient funds to pay those checks. As of the date of the complaint, Van Zandt still owed $7,443 to three livestock sellers, in violation of the P&S Act and regulations.
In addition, Van Zandt and its owners, Tyre and Lowry, failed to timely remit net proceeds due to multiple livestock sellers. Van Zandt issued net proceeds of $186,652 due to these sellers between 3 and 188 days late, in violation of the P&S Act and regulations.
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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