Case Law Index Production Contracts
April 15, 1947 – September 15, 2023
This index provides a comprehensive though not necessarily exhaustive compilation of reported and unreported federal and state court decisions involving the Production Contracts that were decided between the dates listed above. The cases are listed in reverse chronological order. The “Text” link goes to the freely available Google Scholar text of the opinion. These listings are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for legal counsel.
SUPREME COURT
Allenberg Cotton Co. v. Pittman, 419 U.S. 20, 95 S. Ct. 260, 42 L. Ed. 2d 195 (1974) (breach of contract) Text
FIRST CIRCUIT
Sleeper Farms v. Agway, Inc., 506 F.3d 98 (1st Cir. 2007) (enforcement of arbitration clause) Text
Sleeper Farms v. Agway, Inc., 460 F. Supp. 2d 184 (D. Me. 2006) Text
Sleeper Farms v. Agway, Inc., 211 F. Supp. 2d 197 (D. Me. 2002) (arbitration clause) Text
SECOND CIRCUIT
Abeles, Inc. v. Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, LLC, No. 06-CV-3893 (JFB) (AKT), 2010 WL 446042 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 1, 2010) (action for PSA violations) Text
Milton Abeles, Inc. v. Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, LLC, No. 06-CV-3893 (JFB)(AKT), 2009 WL 875553 (E.D. N.Y. Mar. 30, 2009) (refusal to pay is deceptive practice) Text
THIRD CIRCUIT
Rothenberg v. H. Rothstein & Sons, 183 F.2d 524 (3d Cir. 1950) (statute of frauds) Text
FOURTH CIRCUIT
M & M Poultry, Inc. v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 281 F. Supp. 3d 610 (N.D.W. Va. 2017) (claims of PSA violation) Text
Griffin v. Smithfield Foods, Inc., 183 F. Supp. 2d 824 (E.D. Va. 2002) Text
Philson v. Goldsboro Milling Co., No. 96-2542, 1998 WL 709324 (4th Cir. 1998) (tortious termination; breach of contract; violation of state and federal laws)
Philson v. Cold Creek Farms, Inc., 947 F. Supp. 197 (E.D. N.C. 1996) (tortious termination; breach of contract; unfair or deceptive trade practices) Text
Bunting v. Perdue, Inc., 611 F. Supp. 682 (E.D. N.C. 1985) (breach of contract; violations of the PSA) Text
S. Packaging & Storage Co. v. United States, 588 F. Supp. 532 (D.S.C. 1984) (action challenging award of contract) Text
LeRoy Dyal Co. v. Allen, 161 F.2d 152, 153 (4th Cir. 1947) (seeking damages for breach of contract) Text
FIFTH CIRCUIT
In re Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 728 F.3d 457 (5th Cir. 2013) cert. denied sub nom. Agerton v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 134 S. Ct. 1345, 188 L. Ed. 2d 310 (2014) (anti-competitive antitrust allegation) Text
In re Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 467 B.R. 871 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. 2012) (termination of contracts) Text
In re Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., No. 08-45664 DML, 2011 WL 1107118 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. Mar. 24, 2011) (unfair or deceptive practices to induce contract signing violating PSA) Text
Prestage Farms, Inc. v. Bryan Foods, Inc., No. 1:10CV32-GHD-JAD, 2011 WL 1044615, (N.D. Miss. Mar. 18, 2011) (timely payment provision) Text
In re Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., No. 08-454664 (DML), 2011 WL 771675 (Bktrcy. N.D.Tex. March 2, 2011) (allegations of PSA violations for plant closures)
Bell v. Koch Foods of Miss., LLC, No. 09-60433, 2009 WL 4885174 (5th Cir. Dec. 16, 2009) (granting arbitration on production contracts) Text
Wheeler v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 591 F.3d 355 (5th Cir. Dec. 15, 2009) (anti-competitive effect is necessary for claim under PSA) Text
City of Clinton v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 654 F.Supp.2d 536 (N.D. Tex. 2009) (claim of favorable treatment to one contract grower; violations of state consumer protection act) Text
Bell v. Koch Foods of Miss., LLC, No. 3:08-cv-697-WHB-LRA, 2009 WL 1259054 (S.D. Miss. May 5, 2009) (granting motion to compel arbitration on broiler grower agreements) Text
In re Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 403 B.R. 413 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. 2009) (debtors in possession allowed to reject certain growers’ contracts) Text
White v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp, No. 2-07-CV-522 (TJW), 2008 WL 4471656 (E.D. Tex. Sept. 29, 2008) (growers’ challenges to broiler contracts)
Wheeler v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 536 F.3d 455 (5th Cir. 2008), reh’g en banc granted, 576 F.3d 532 (5th Cir. 2009) (growers not required to show adverse effect upon competition) Text
Wheeler v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 246 F.R.D. 532 (E.D. Tex. 2007) (class certification of anti-trust suit)
Steed v. Sanderson Farms, Inc., No. 2:05cv02146-KS-MTP, 2006 WL 2844546 (S.D. Miss. Sept. 29, 2006) Text
SIXTH CIRCUIT
Ronald A. Chisholm, Ltd. v. Am. Cold Storage, Inc., No. 3:09-CV-00808-CRS, 2013 WL 2242648 (W.D. Ky. May 21, 2013) (sell confirmations, product price and payment provision, whether PSA is unambiguous and unenforceable) Text
Terry v. Tyson Farms, Inc., 604 F.3d 272 (6th Cir. 2010) (deceptive practices under the P&S Act) Text
Sierra Club, Inc. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 299 F. Supp. 2d 693 (W.D. Ky. 2003) (liability under CERCLA) Text
Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis, Inc. v. Lambert, 389 F. Supp. 417 (E.D. Tenn.), aff’d sub nom. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith v. Lambert, 524 F.2d 1405 (6th Cir. 1975), and aff’d sub nom. Paine, Weber, Jackson & Curtis Inc. v. Lambert, 524 F.2d 1406 (6th Cir. 1975) (recovery of amounts due under an enforceable contract) Text
Strickler v. Pfister Associated Growers, Inc., 319 F.2d 788 (6th Cir. 1963) (breach of warranty) Text
SEVENTH CIRCUIT
In re Broiler Chicken Antitrust Litig., 290 F. Supp. 3d 772 (N.D. Ill. 2017) (action alleging violation of the Sherman Act)
In re Chi-Mar Foods, Inc., 207 B.R. 594 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 1997) (lien rights in chapter 7 bankruptcy) Text
EIGHTH CIRCUIT
Pitman Farms v. Kuehl Poultry, LLC, 48 F.4th 866 (8th Cir. 2022) (District court erred holding Growers were not sellers under Minn. Stat. § 17.93 and Minn. R. 1572.0040 because reading the term seller to include producer in the Producer Protection Act, the Growers were undisputedly sellers.) Text
Swift & Co. v. Elias Farms, Inc., 539 F.3d 849 (8th Cir. 2008) (breach of production contract; no breach of state consumer fraud law) Text
Winfrey v. Simmons Foods, Inc., 495 F.3d 549 (8th Cir. July 19, 2007) Text
Hudson v. ConAgra Poultry Co., 484 F.3d 496 (8th Cir. 2007) (enforcement of arbitration clause) Text
Winfrey v. Simmons Foods, Inc., No. 03-2237, 2006 WL 2792166 (W.D. Ark. Sept. 30, 2006)
Winfrey v. Simmons Foods, Inc., No. 03-2237, 2006 WL 2564206 (W.D. Ark. Sept. 6, 2006)
Hecksel v. Cent. Livestock Ass’n, No. Civ. 03-2604 JRTJSM, 2005 WL 2406032 (D. Minn. Sept. 29, 2005) (cattle feeding contract)
Wiser v. Wayne Farms, 411 F.3d 923 (8th Cir. 2005) Text
Roe v. Cargill Inc., 333 F. Supp. 2d 808 (W.D. Ark. 2004) (bad faith in production contracts) Text
Kinkaid v. John Morrell & Co., 321 F. Supp. 2d 1090 (N.D. Iowa 2004) Text
Schumacher v. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., 221 F.R.D. 605 (D. S.D. 2004) (class action certified) Text
Overgaard v. Rock County Bd. of Comm’rs, No. Civ.A.02-601(DWF/AJB), 2003 WL 21744235 (D. Minn. July 25, 2003) (hog operation challenged)
Schoenrock v. John Morrell & Co., Nos. Civ. 03-848 JRTFLN, Civ. 03-849 JRTFLN, Civ. 03-853 JRTFLN, Civ. 03-854 JRTFLN, 2003 WL 21639161 (D. Minn. July 2, 2003)
Overgaard v. Rock County Bd. of Comm’rs, No. Civ. 02-601(DWF/AJB), 2002 WL 31924522 (D. Minn. Dec. 30, 2002) (contractor’s control over feedlot)
Crowell v. Campbell Soup Co., 264 F.3d 756 (8th Cir. 2001) (processor have right to terminate broiler chicken production contracts) Text
Jackson v. Swift Eckrich, Inc., 53 F.3d 1452 (8th Cir. 1995) (alleged violation of contract and the PSA) Text
Renfro v. Swift Eckrich, Inc., 53 F.3d 1460 (8th Cir. 1995) (growing contracts) Text
Pavlik v. Cargill, Inc. 9 F.3d 710 (8th Cir. 1993) (turkey farmer’s claims against processor) Text
Jackson v. Swift-Eckrich, 830 F. Supp. 486 (W.D. Ark. 1993) (class action against poultry processor) Text
Jackson v. Swift-Eckrich, Inc., 836 F. Supp. 1447 (W.D. Ark. 1993) (class action against turkey processor) Text
NINTH CIRCUIT
Bybee Farms LLC v. Snake River Sugar Co., 625 F.Supp.2d 1073 (E.D. Wash. Sept. 29, 2008) (breach of production contract) Text
In re Altabon Foods, Inc., 998 F.2d 718 (9th Cir. 1993) (determination of extent of debtor’s trust obligations to supplier) Text
In re Roxford Foods Litig., 790 F. Supp. 987 (E.D. Cal. 1991) (“poultry grower” is entitled to statutory trust) Text
TENTH CIRCUIT
Been v. O.K. Indus., Inc., No. CIV-02-285-RAW, 2011 WL 4478766 (Aug. 16, 2011) report and recommendation adopted, No. CIV-02-285-RAW, 2011 WL 4475291 (Sept. 26, 2011) (attorneys’ fees)
Been v. O.K. Indus., No. 08-7078, 2010 WL 3995981 (10th Cir. 2010) (affirmation of poultry producer’s liability under the Packers and Stockyards Act) Text
Luft Farms, LLC v. W. Sugar Coop., No. 08-cv-02014-WYD-CBS, 2009 WL 426240 (D. Colo. Feb. 20, 2009) (violations of Agricultural Fair Practices Act) Text
Been v. O.K. Indus., Inc., No. Civ. 02-285-RAW, 2008 WL 2704470 (E.D. Okla. July 03, 2008) (denying new trial in unconscionability of production contract) Text
Been v. O.K. Indus., Inc., 495 F.3d 1217 (10th Cir. 2007) (class action against poultry producer) Text
Excel Corp. v. USDA, 397 F.3d 1285 (10th Cir. 2005) (grading and pricing under PSA) Text
Delashaw v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 100 Fed. App’x 762 (10th Cir. 2004)
City of Tulsa v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 258 F. Supp. 2d 1263 (N.D. Okla. 2003) Text
Moundridge Milling Co. v. Cream of Wheat Corp., 105 F.2d 366 (10th Cir. 1939) (recovery of tax)
Been v. O.K. Indus., No. 08-7078, 2010 WL 3995981 (10th Cir. 2010) (affirmation of poultry producer’s liability under the Packers and Stockyards Act) Text
Luft Farms, LLC v. W. Sugar Coop., No. 08-cv-02014-WYD-CBS, 2009 WL 426240 (D. Colo. Feb. 20, 2009) (violations of Agricultural Fair Practices Act)
Been v. O.K. Indus., Inc., No. Civ. 02-285-RAW, 2008 WL 2704470 (E.D. Okla. July 03, 2008) (denying new trial in unconscionability of production contract) Text
Been v. O.K. Indus., Inc., 495 F.3d 1217 (10th Cir. 2007) Text
Excel Corp. v. USDA, 397 F.3d 1285 (10th Cir. 2005) (grading and pricing under PSA) Text
Delashaw v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 100 Fed. App’x 762 (10th Cir. 2004)
City of Tulsa v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 258 F. Supp. 2d 1263 (N.D. Okla. 2003) Text
ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
Adkins v. Cagle Foods JV, LLC, 411 F.3d 1320 (11th Cir. 2005) (deception necessary for PSA violation) Text
Mims v. Cagle Foods JV, LLC, 148 Fed. App’x 762 (11th Cir. 2005)
Wheeler v. Cagle Foods JV, LLC, 148 Fed. App’x 760 (11th Cir. 2005)
Wells v. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., No. 5:04-CV-83 (WDO), 2005 WL 1127129 (M.D. Ga. May 12, 2005)
Pickett v. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., 420 F.3d 1272 (11th Cir. 2005) (PSA and Marketing Agreements) Text
London v. Fieldale Farms Corp., 410 F.3d 1295 (11th Cir. 2005) (PSA section 202 interpreted) Text
Pickett v. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., 315 F. Supp. 2d 1172 (M.D. Ala. 2004) (class action against beef processor) Text
Pickett v. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., Civ. 96-A-1103-N, 2004 WL 3712720 (M.D. Ala. March 22, 2004) (jury verdict and motion for prejudgment interest)
London v. Fieldale Farms Corp., No. Civ. 2:01-CV-202-WCO, 2003 WL 23750660 (N.D. Ga. 2003)
Pickett v. IBP, Inc., 197 F.R.D. 510 (M.D. Ala. 2000) (class action against beef processor) Text
Baldree v. Cargill, Inc., 758 F. Supp. 704 (M.D. Fla. 1990) (poultry growers’ action against processor) Text
Adkins v. Cagle Foods JV, LLC, 411 F.3d 1320 (11th Cir. 2005) (deception necessary for PSA violation) Text
Mims v. Cagle Foods JV, LLC, 148 Fed. App’x 762 (11th Cir. 2005)
Wheeler v. Cagle Foods JV, LLC, 148 Fed. App’x 760 (11th Cir. 2005)
Wells v. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., No. 5:04-CV-83 (WDO), 2005 WL 1127129 (M.D. Ga. May 12, 2005)
Pickett v. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., 420 F.3d 1272 (11th Cir. 2005) (PSA and Marketing Agreements) Text
London v. Fieldale Farms Corp., 410 F.3d 1295 (11th Cir. 2005) (PSA section 202 interpreted) Text
Pickett v. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., 315 F. Supp. 2d 1172 (M.D. Ala. 2004) Text
London v. Fieldale Farms Corp., No. Civ. 2:01-CV-202-WCO, 2003 WL 23750660 (N.D. Ga. 2003)
ALABAMA
Goolesby v. Koch Farms, LLC, 955 So. 2d 422 (Ala. 2006) (damages calculation) Text
ARKANSAS
Tyson Foods, Inc. v. Archer, 147 S.W.3d 681 (Ark. 2004) (validity of arbitration agreement) Text
Tyson Foods, Inc. v. Davis, 66 S.W.3d 568 (Ark. 2002) (state law action against food processor) Text
CALIFORNIA
Batth v. Lion Raisins, Inc., No. F051590, 2008 WL 1838134 (Cal. Ct. App. April 25, 2008) (validity of production contract) Text
GEORGIA
Blockum v. Fieldale Farms Corp., 610 S.E.2d 82 (Ga. Ct. App. 2005) (appeal of JNOV for termination of contract) Text
Blockum v. Fieldale Farms Corp., 585 S.E.2d 233 (Ga. Ct. App. 2003) (appeal on termination of contract) Text
Blockum v. Fieldale Farms Corp., 573 S.E.2d 36 (Ga. 2002) (action against integrator) Text
Kittle v. Conagra Poultry Co., 543 S.E.2d 411 (Ga. App. 2000) (farmer’s action against poultry company) Text
Gold Kist, Inc. v. Wilson, 227 Ga. App. 848, 490 S.E.2d 466 (1997) (Poultry production contract not breached when molted chickens rather than pullets were delivered) Text
IOWA
Keith Smith Co. v. Bushman, 873 N.W.2d 776 (Iowa Ct. App. 2015) (action for violation of egg hatching purchasing agreement) Text
Midwest Hatchery & Poultry Farms, Inc. v. Doorenbos Poultry, Inc., 783 N.W.2d 56 (Iowa Ct. App. 2010) (action for breach of contract) Text
Powell v. Swine Graphics Enter., No. 00-2002, 2002 WL 180883 (Iowa Ct. App. Feb. 6, 2002)
LOUISIANA
Volentine v. Raeford Farms of Louisiana, LLC, 50,698 (La. App. 2 Cir. 8/15/16) (bad faith breach of contract) Text
Miller v. Conagra, Inc., 991 So.2d 445 (La. 2008) (breach of broiler contract) Text
Miller v. Conagra, Inc., 970 So.2d 1268 (La. Ct. App. 2007) (breach of contract by processor) Text
MINNESOTA
Pitman Farms v. Kuehl Poultry LLC, 508 F. Supp. 3d 465 (D. Minn. 2020) (Parent company responsible for contract)
Cargill Inc. v. Jorgenson Farms, 719 N.W.2d 226 (Minn. Ct. App. 2006) (formation by acquiescence) Text
MISSISSIPPI
Gatlin v. Sanderson Farms, Inc., 953 So. 2d 220 (Miss. 2007) (breach of contract) Text
Tyson Breeders, Inc. v. Harrison, 940 So. 2d 230 (Miss. 2006) (Circuit and Chancery Courts’ jurisdiction) Text
Sanderson Farms Inc. v. Ballard, 917 So. 2d 783 (Miss. 2005) (failed fraud claim) Text
Gatlin v. Sanderson Farms, Inc., 848 So. 2d 828 (Miss. 2003) Text
MISSOURI
Agri-Foods, Inc. v. Indus. Comm’n of Missouri, 511 S.W.2d 898 (Mo. App. 1974) (“agricultural labor” exemption under state employment security law) Text
NEBRASKA
Meyer Nat. Foods LLC v. Greater Omaha Packing Co., 302 Neb. 509, 925 N.W.2d 39 (2019) (action for breach of contract) Text
Meyer v. Sandhills Beef, Inc., 211 Neb. 388, 318 N.W.2d 863 (1982) (recovery of debt) Text
NEW YORK
Henry Avocado Corp. v. Z.J.D. Brother, LLC, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63774 (breach of oral contract) Text
NORTH CAROLINA
Lutz v. Case Farms, LLC, No. 520CV00103KDBDCK, 2020 WL 5111217 (W.D.N.C. Aug. 31, 2020) (production contract did not violate PSA) Text
W4 Farms, Inc. v. Tyson Farms, Inc., No. 16 CVS 1112, 2017 WL 3158867 (N.C. Super. July 24, 2017) (breach of contract denied)
NORTH DAKOTA
Red River Commodities, Inc. v. Eidsness, 459 N.W. 2d 811 (N.D. 1990) (breach of contract) Text
SOUTH DAKOTA
Consolidated Nutrition, L.C. v. IBP, Inc., 669 N.W.2d 126 (S.D. 2003) Text
TEXAS
Cal-Tex Lumber Co. v. Owens Handle Co., 989 S.W.2d 802 (Tex. App. 1999) (breach of contract by sawmill operator) Text
WEST VIRGINIA
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. v. Morris, 228 W. Va. 596, 723 S.E.2d 642 (2011) (challenging a farm exception tax) Text