Federal regulators have fined National Beef Packing Co. $32,500 as part of a consent agreement stemming from its practices with livestock sellers, reports the Kansas City Star.
The Agriculture Department's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration on Monday also announced cease and desist orders to the Kansas City-based company over the allegations.
The agency ordered the company to give livestock sellers an accurate accounting of the cattle purchased and to correct freight charge deductions. It also ordered National Beef to tell sellers about data errors that affect prices paid for cattle, and to stop using an inaccurate scale for determining carcass weights.
National Beef said it values its relationship with cattle suppliers and regrets the isolated incidents. It said it fully reimbursed cattle suppliers and reviewed procedures to prevent the issues in the future.
Source: Kansas City Star