Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: June 27, 2007

Agriculture Department Takes Possession of Grain Dealer in Barton County

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Today, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) took possession of Lamar Grain & Feed, LLC, of Lamar, Mo. enforcing the Missouri Grain Dealer’s Law. After the company voluntarily allowed its license to expire May 31, 2007, MDA auditors determined that the company was unable to make payments for grain purchased.

“Examiners with our Grain Inspection and Warehousing Division routinely audit and inspect Missouri grain facilities to make sure these companies are in good financial standing and operating within the law,” said Katie Smith, director of MDA. “We are dedicated to helping protect Missouri producers and farmers from circumstances that could affect their income.”

Upon the agriculture department’s auditor’s findings that the facility is unable to satisfy the claims of all sellers, the state attorney general’s office petitioned for the court order in Barton County for the Missouri Department of Agriculture to immediately seize, take title and possession of any grain and grain-related assets in the control of Lamar Grain & Feed LLC.

“This action provides MDA with the authority to immediately obtain and liquidate the grain related assets of this business for the purpose of making a fair and equitable distribution to all farmer/grain sellers that are owed for grain sold to Lamar Grain & Feed LLC,” said Smith.

Farmers and grain sellers that have sold grain to Lamar Grain & Feed LLC and those who have not been paid for grain sold are asked to contact MDA’s Grain Regulatory Services at (573) 751-4112 to file a claim or send copies of unpaid grain tickets to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Grain Regulatory Services, P.O. Box 630, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.

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