Three more men have pleaded guilty to abusing livestock on an Iowa farm that contracts with Hormel Foods.

Richard Ralston, 28, Alan Rettig, 60, and Greg Hackler, 19, were sentenced earlier this week for multiple counts of livestock abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor. They will face two-year suspended prison sentences and fines. A fourth man, Jordan Anderson, 26, plead guilty to aiding and abetting the others.

Shawn Lyons, 36, was convicted in the case on Jan.16, while charges are still being processed against a sixth person, Shelly Ann Mauch, 34.

The incident in question took place on a facility in Bayard, Iowa, owned by MowMar of Fairmont, Minn., and managed by Suidae Health and Production. A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals investigation provided taped evidence of abuse, which was given to Greene County, Iowa, authorities. The county then did its own investigation, which wrapped up last fall.

Greene County Chief Deputy Russ Hoffman said he was glad the case is largely resolved and is satisfied with the results so far.

“We’re happy with the cooperation between all agencies involved,” he said.

In a press release, PETA said Hormel has been quiet on whether it will implement policies to prevent such abuse in the future, or whether it will heed PETA’s recommendations to install surveillance cameras. PETA had previously claimed that Hormel is difficult to deal with and has not met with the animal advocacy group for a number of years.

A Hormel spokesman did not immediately return calls or an e-mail for comment Thursday, but spokeswoman Julie Craven issued a statement last October that said the abusive practices did not align with Hormel’s values.

“We are working with our entire supply chain to ensure proper animal handling procedures are always taking place. We will continue this important practice going forward,” she said in that statement.

Hormel also announced in January that it had implemented a National Pork Board program, Pork Quality Assurance Plus, to ensure high production practices. That program requires all hogs purchased by Hormel to be raised by PQA Plus certified workers by the end of the year.

Following the investigation, PETA did work with MowMar on developing a five-point plan, which includes current and future employee training, and invitations to animal handling experts to visit the facility.

MowMar announced in October 2008 that all six people charged in the case, as well as the farm manager, had been let go, citing a “zero-tolerance” policy.

“MowMar shares the goal of ensuring that all animals managed by our operations are treated in a humane manner,” the company said in an October release.