By Steve Browne
Valley City Times-Record

    Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson says a Valley City company has been barred from livestock dealing in North Dakota after an audit of its books raised questions.
    Johnson said he issued the cease and desist order against the Triple S Cattle Co., Inc., which also does business as Sommers Livestock.
    The order was given when a cattle seller filed a bond claim against Triple S for failure to pay for cattle, according to Wayne Carlson, livestock services program director for the state Department of Agriculture.
    A bond to cover debts owed to producers who’ve sold cattle, is required by the state for licenses to deal livestock, Carlson said.
    Ordinarily, payment for cattle is owed within a day of delivery. If payment is late, the seller has 60 days to file a bond claim. Carlson said that a bond claim was filed very close to the 60-day limit.
    Arlen Sommers said he has been in business for more than 50 years and it was the first time he’s had problems paying accounts on time.
    Sommers said the action taken against him looks ‘‘a lot worse than it is,’’ and he expects to have the issue resolved soon.

For full story, see Thursday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.