Cattle Feed Scammers Didn't Deliver

Cattle Feed Scam Steals $5 Million From Ranchers

High feed prices have opened the door to scammers, who took payment for feed they didn't deliver. (DTN/Progressive Farmer file photo by Becky Mills)

New Way Ag, a Canadian-based company, is under investigation for selling cattle feed, including grain hay, barley straw and wheat straw, at low prices, then never delivering it to buyers.

News of the matter came out when Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued a warning to ranchers in his state of what he called a "scam" regarding feed sales. The state's Office of Consumer Protection reported that New Way Ag alone has "stolen up to $5 million from Montanans after receiving payments but never delivering promised product -- and other criminals may be conducting similar scams."

Montanans who made payments to New Way Ag are being asked to contact the Office of Consumer Protection at 406-444-4500.

Attorney General Knudsen said, "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Now more than ever we all must keep a watchful eye out for scammers looking to take advantage of Montanans."

New Way Ag is listed on the internet as being based out of Alberta. The company claims to be "Canada's largest agriculture biomass production company." New Way Ag's website says it works in "biomass markets," including the mushroom industry, livestock feedlots, ethanol biofuel, export sectors, and environmental services. The company claim to provide custom harvest and a fertilizer return program. No contact information is provided on the site, and the senior operations manager is listed on LinkedIn as simply "Scott P" with no last name or way to reach him.

Victoria Myers can be reached at vicki.myers@dtn.com

Follow her on Twitter @myersPF