ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 18, 2008

CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED ON VALLEY CITY LIVESTOCK DEALER

BISMARCK –  Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson has issued a cease and desist order against the Triple S Cattle Co., Inc. of Valley City, preventing the company from selling and dealing in livestock in North Dakota. The company also does business as Sommers Livestock.

“Anyone who is owed money by or who has outstanding checks for livestock from Triple S Livestock should contact the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) or the U.S. Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) immediately,” Johnson said.

The NDDA number is (800) 242-7535; GIPSA can be reached at (515) 323-2579.

Johnson said GIPSA auditors found irregularities in the company’s records, indicating that accounts had not been paid in a timely manner.

“All claims against the company’s bond must be made within 60 days of the transaction date,” Johnson said. “At this point, we do not know if the company’s state-required bond is sufficient to cover outstanding debts to producers.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.