Reliable cattle payments are a core element of meat-chain integrity

A recent USDA complaint against an Oklahoma livestock dealer is a reminder that meat-chain integrity starts before slaughter. The agency alleges that Derek Ford, doing business as Ford Cattle, failed to make timely payment for 720 head purchased between June and October 2021. The investigation puts the total value at $412,700. The administrative complaint was filed in May 2025 and announced by USDA on August 26, 2026.