Cattle rancher and auctioneer Herman Schumacher says he was surprised to find a sign posted on the door of his Herreid home saying he owes nearly $16,000 in legal fees to Tyson Fresh Foods.

The sign was put on his door June 11 because he owes legal expenses after losing a lawsuit he and two other cattlemen filed against Tyson and some other meatpackers.

Schumacher and his supporters argue that Tyson is seeking the money in retaliation because he filed a lawsuit alleging the meatpackers violated federal law. A jury awarded the cattlemen more than $9 million, but a federal appeals court overturned the verdict.

Schumacher and other cattlemen planned to gather at his home Friday to discuss their efforts to boost cattle prices by increasing competition in the market.