OAKWOOD, GA. — Wayne-Sanderson Farms announced this week that the company agreed to pay $17.75 million in a settlement related to its involvement in several price-fixing lawsuits.

“The company maintains a position of no wrongdoing, but to avoid protracted litigation, this was the most efficient way of dealing with the case,” said Frank Singleton, a company spokesperson. “The company is excited to get this settled and continue to advance grower relations.”

The plaintiffs and Sanderson came to an agreement on Feb. 28, 2023, according to the settlement overseen by Judge Robert Shelby.

Cargill and Continental Grain Co. officially acquired Sanderson Farms Inc. for $4.5 billion in July 2022. The companies formed a private poultry business by merging Sanderson with Continental Grain’s subsidiary, Wayne Farms.

Much of the antitrust allegations occurred before Sanderson Farms was acquired.

Other major poultry brands have reached settlements in recent years. In October 2022, Tyson Foods Inc., agreed to settle a $10.5 million price-fixing lawsuit from Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

In May 2022, Mar-Jac Poultry settled the attorney general’s claims by paying $725,000. Fieldale Farms Corp. is the third company to have agreed with Ferguson, with a $475,000 settlement in August 2022.