Washington, D.C., Oct. 16, 2026 – On Sept. 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Duplin Marketing Company LLC, (Duplin) of Clinton, N.C., resolving an alleged violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under this agreement, Duplin waived its right to a hearing and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1,200.
A USDA investigation revealed Duplin last submitted a scale test report for its Springfield, Mo., facility, on April 10, 2025, but continued weighing livestock on its scale to determine sale prices throughout 2025 and 2026, in violation of the P&S Act. Duplin took corrective action by submitting a scale test report on Sept. 4, 2026. The P&S Act requires regulated entities to test livestock scales used in commerce at least once between Jan. 1 and June 30, and at least once again between July 1 and Dec. 31, and submit the scale test reports to USDA.
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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