Jul 13
Attorney General Gentner Drummond today announced a nearly $44 million settlement resolving the State’s 21-year lawsuit against six companies over poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. Oklahoma sued Tyson Foods, Cargill, George’s, Peterson Farms, Cal-Maine and Simmons Foods in 2005. A federal judge found the companies liable in December 2025, then rejected a …
Apr 08
Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Stacy Simunek released the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma rejected the state of Oklahoma’s negotiated settlement with four poultry companies that would have settled charges against the companies in the decades-old State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., lawsuit regarding the …
Feb 12
Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Stacy Simunek issued the following statement after Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced a settlement between the State of Oklahoma, Tyson and Cargill in the decades-long State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., lawsuit regarding the application of chicken litter in the Illinois River Watershed. “Oklahoma Farm Bureau members …
Feb 02
Farm and ranch leaders gathered at CattleCon 2026 as Oklahoma cattlemen joined policy, checkoff, and federation meetings amid winter weather delays. Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays caught up with Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association at CattleCon26, who outlined why this meeting mattered for Oklahoma and why recent developments …
Jan 21
Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond Seeks ‘Finality’ in Poultry Lawsuit, Reassures Cattle Producers of Industry Stability: In a direct address to the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) on Wednesday, Attorney General Gentner Drummond sought to quell fears regarding the ongoing poultry litter litigation in Eastern Oklahoma, outlining a path toward settlement that he says will protect both …
Jan 16
Amid a recent federal ruling on Oklahoma’s 20-plus-year lawsuit over poultry litter pollution of the Illinois River Watershed, Attorney General Gentner Drummond met today with a large group of poultry producers for a candid conversation about the case. The gathering coordinated by state Rep. David Hardin was held in Westville’s Baron Community Center. “I very …
Dec 22
Contract broiler growers must make business management decisions like any other farmer. However, the scope of those decisions is very different compared to farmers growing and marketing grain, for instance. Broiler growers raising birds on contract for integrated poultry companies have contractually limited abilities to implement production management changes, and since they essentially have one …
Dec 20
In a landmark ruling issued Friday, December 19, 2025, U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell entered a judgment against several major poultry integrators, finding them liable for pollution in the Illinois River Watershed (IRW) and ordering a comprehensive, decades-long remediation plan. The judgment brings a pivotal conclusion to State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc. et …
Dec 16
Governor Kevin Stitt is back in Oklahoma City after his Tuesday visit to Westville in northeastern Oklahoma. The Governor says he wanted to show support for poultry producers and other agricultural families facing what he called a serious threat to their livelihoods. Speaking after meeting with roughly 300 chicken farmers and cattle ranchers to senior farm and …
