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. He says auditors found indications that accounts had not been paid on time.

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.

"I had two or three bad deals," Sommers said Wednesday. "I was expecting money and it didn't show up so I was caught short - I tried to work it out with the state but they say they can't wait any longer."

He would not elaborate on his business dealings.

Sommers said the action taken against him looks "a lot worse than it is," and he expects to have the issue resolved soon.

"The little guy gets in a jam and they're out to hang him," he said.

"If they'd have given me a little more time, all this stuff would have been taken care of," he said."

In a statement, Johnson said anyone who is owed money or who has outstanding checks for livestock from Triple S should immediately contact his office or the federal Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.

"All claims against the company's bond must be made within 60 days of the transaction date," Johnson's statement said Wednesday. "At this point, we do not know if the company's state-required bond is sufficient to cover outstanding debts to producers."