Former Poultry Federation President Challenges AG on Lawsuit Settlement: Tensions ran high at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association meeting this week following comments from the Attorney General regarding the ongoing poultry litigation in the Illinois River Watershed. Marvin Childers, former President of The Poultry Federation, pushed back against the Attorney General’s claims of a path forward, suggesting the state’s motivation is financial rather than environmental.
Earlier in the morning, the Attorney General addressed the crowd, stating he would extend the same settlement offer to other poultry companies that was recently accepted by George’s Inc.. Childers, however, remained skeptical of the proposal.
“He said… that he would make the same offer to every other poultry company. I mean, I’m calling him out. Let’s see the offer,” Childers said in an interview following the speech. “If that’s the offer, then I think you will see responses from the poultry companies.”
“It’s All About the Money”
Childers expressed a deep cynicism regarding the state’s pursuit of the lawsuit, which has spanned two decades. When asked if a settlement is what he ultimately wants to see, he pivoted back to the underlying incentives.
“Truthfully, I still think it’s all about the money,” Childers said. He criticized the negotiation process for excluding the actual farmers who will be most affected by the rulings. “We don’t even have the growers at the table. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of.”.
Beyond the debate over specific settlement terms, Childers agreed with audience comments suggesting that Drummond has the authority to end the litigation without further demands. When asked about the Attorney General’s capacity to halt the lawsuit immediately, Childers emphasized that this option has always been on the table. “It’s been our position he could have ended it the first day he took office,” Childers stated. His comments imply that the continued pursuit of the case is a discretionary decision by the Attorney General, rather than a legal necessity, fueling his belief that the state’s persistence is driven by factors other than environmental compliance.
The Special Master: “Judicial Immunity” or Trespassing?
A major point of contention involves the court’s December 19, 2025, order appointing a “Special Master” to oversee cleanup efforts. Childers voiced alarm over the broad powers granted to this court-appointed official, which he believes trample on private property rights.
“Pages 12 through about 16 set out the duties of the special master… I don’t know how you square that with it not being trespassing,” Childers argued.
He highlighted that the Special Master is granted judicial immunity to enter land application sites, a provision Childers finds terrifying. He noted that the order’s language regarding the Special Master’s jurisdiction—specifically, whether land is “within or outside” the watershed—is vague and dangerous for producers using poultry litter as fertilizer.
Growers Left Vulnerable
Perhaps the most severe consequence detailed by Childers is the potential for growers to be immediately terminated without traditional due process. Under the new order, if a grower is found in violation by the Special Master, the poultry company (integrator) could be forced to stop supplying them with birds.
“If that master deems that I’m in violation, the special master would notify [the company] and [the company] would be prohibited from delivering new birds to my farm,” Childers explained. “No hearing, no due process. I’m just out of business.”
A Warning to All Agriculture
Childers warned the cattlemen in attendance that this ruling sets a precedent that could eventually target other sectors of agriculture, including cattle ranching and row crop farming.
“You’ve got additional potential defendants in this lawsuit… nurseries, golf courses, municipalities,” Childers noted. He suggested that the litigation opens the door for scrutiny of commercial fertilizer use by row crop farmers and others, creating a “crosshairs” environment for the entire industry.
While the order sets a minimum term of 30 years for the Special Master, Childers fears it could last much longer if the court deems it necessary.
“This could be just the beginning,” Childers concluded. “When it’s not about the money, it’s all about the money.”.
