PERSPECTIVE December 26, 2025
Poultry producers call on Stitt to battle reduction of Oklahoma poultry operations during Adair County town hall klahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt joined more than 200 poultry producers Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Double R&P Grill in Adair County to visit with them about possible solutions to the ongoing State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc. lawsuit. Stitt’s comments were focused on solutions to help poultry growers after a recent announcement by Tyson Foods that the poultry company plans to reduce poultry operations in the Illinois River watershed in light of the state of Oklahoma’s proposed settlement, written by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The move by Tyson comes after Drummond asked the judge in the case to fine the poultry companies, who were deemed liable for high levels of phosphorous in the Illinois River,
hundreds of millions of dollars in retribution for their actions. During the meeting, Gov. Stitt, members of his cabinet, and several elected officials heard stories from poultry producers as they shared the wide-reaching impact that the reduction of poultry operations would have on their families and livelihoods. Stitt assured attendees that he made his administration’s stance on the issue clear with Drummond from the beginning. “I sent a formal letter to the attorney general urging for a commonsense settlement that protects our environment and our Oklahoma food producers,” he said. Stitt said he believes the parties can find a solution that benefits the interests
of both sides. “This isn’t an either/or,” he said. “We can protect our water, and we can protect our family farms.” In a direct address to the media present during the event, Stitt explained how poultry producers diligently follow their state-approved nutrient management plans to manage the disposal of poultry litter. “Every single person that you guys are seeing, they have permits,” Stitt said. “They go through all the trouble to follow those permits, because there are fines. If they don’t follow the permit, if they don’t apply the fertilizer accurately
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