WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) are expressing strong disappointment following a federal court decision rejecting a proposed settlement in a long-running environmental case tied to poultry production in Oklahoma.
The ruling, issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, denied approval of a negotiated agreement between the state of Oklahoma and several poultry companies in the decades-old State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al. lawsuit. The case centers on the use of chicken litter in the Illinois River Watershed.
“Cattle producers across Oklahoma and the Illinois River Watershed are greatly disappointed by the U.S. District Court’s rejection of a settlement between Oklahoma poultry producers and the state of Oklahoma,”
said OCA President Ford Drummond and NCBA President Gene Copenhaver in a joint statement. “The decades-old lawsuit relies on outdated information and fails to consider the adoption of nutrient management plans, increased efficiencies, and the adoption of voluntary conservation practices.”
While neither organization is directly involved in the litigation, both groups warn that the decision could have far-reaching consequences beyond poultry operations. Industry leaders argue the decision could disrupt confidence in conservation practices and increase regulatory uncertainty for producers across the region.
According to the statement, the ruling could significantly impact broader agricultural practices, particularly for livestock producers who manage manure as part of their operations.
“The District Court’s holding creates significant economic risk for farmers and ranchers throughout the Illinois River Watershed, while also diminishing faith in the nutrient management plan as a reliable tool for environmental compliance and regulatory protection,” Copenhaver added.
NCBA and OCA say they will continue advocating for cattle producers affected by the ruling and are prepared to support an appeal to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
