A nearly two-decade-old lawsuit in Oklahoma is drawing attention to the use of poultry litter as fertilizer.
In 2023, a district judge found poultry companies responsible for pollution in Oklahoma’s eastern waterways. The court is now considering measures to help combat that pollution.
A soil scientist with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission took to the stand and claimed that halting the land application of poultry waste is a necessary step to address the watershed issues.
He said that runoff from chicken litter fertilizer has led to elevated phosphorus levels, ultimately depleting oxygen, clouding water, and straining utility systems.
Poultry companies argue that increased transportation of litter out of the state has limited its impact.
Payment totals alone do not show financial stress — production costs and net losses complete the picture.
January 26, 2026 02:30 PM
·
Year-round E15 remains on the table, but procedural caution and competing regional interests pushed action into a slower, negotiated path.
January 26, 2026 01:33 PM
·
A mid-January winter storm delivered snow, ice, and extreme cold to a broad swath of the U.S., disrupting transportation, stressing livestock systems, and adding cost and complexity to winter farm operations as producers look toward spring.
January 26, 2026 01:10 PM
·
Heavier weights and strong late-year slaughter supported December production, but lower annual totals highlight ongoing supply tightness heading into 2026.
January 26, 2026 11:19 AM
·
January 26, 2026 11:18 AM
Junior Livestock Champions Grand Champion Market Steer, topping out at $320,000
January 26, 2026 10:58 AM
