News Release
February 20, 2009
Department of Agriculture Works to Protect Farmers and Grain Sellers
Audrain County Circuit Court petitioned to seize assets of local grain dealer.
(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), with assistance from the Missouri attorney general’s office, petitioned the Circuit Court of Audrain County to seize assets including grain and grain-related articles of T.J. Gieseker Farms and Trucking. This action prohibits Cathy Gieseker, owner of T.J. Gieseker Farms, of engaging in any grain-related business transactions during this time.
Auditors with the Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection and Warehousing Division routinely audit and inspect Missouri grain facilities to make sure companies are in good financial standing and operating within the law.
The Department of Agriculture is continuing to assess the case in Audrain County and will hold public meetings to inform Missouri farmers in the coming weeks. Farmers and grain sellers that have sold grain to T.J. Gieseker Farms and Trucking 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.