Janzen Schroeder Celebrates Successful Resolution of Feed Contamination Case

Janzen Schroeder Ag Law recently helped an Indiana-based but nationally recognized client resolve a lawsuit against a large feed company. Viking Lamb filed a lawsuit in the spring of 2020, alleging that a load of lamb creep feed it purchased had been contaminated by a foreign pellet. Viking included claims for product liability, breach of warranties, and negligence.

Soon after exposure to the feed, lambs began to sicken and die. The feed company denied culpability and the lawsuit continued for over a year, first in the state court system and later in the federal court for the Southern District of Indiana. Multiple depositions and expert analysis revealed that the foreign pellet was a cattle feed supplement. Viking alleged the foreign pellet damaged its flock because the pellet included dangerous levels of protein, monensin, and urea. The feed company continued to deny liability. Viking suffered significant financial damages throughout the 2020 and 2021 lambing and breeding seasons.

Finally, at the end of June 2021, the parties negotiated a successful resolution of the dispute through a federal settlement conference. The details of the settlement are confidential but the lawsuit was dismissed in July 2021 and Viking Lamb is once again a leader in the national meat and show lamb world.

The year-long litigation demonstrated several keys to success in a feed contamination lawsuit. More details available at Brianna’s blog.