By: Steve Hallstrom
NORTH DAKOTA – North Dakota agriculture officials are sounding the alarm after several livestock producers recently received unexpected correspondence regarding their operations.
Flag Family Media Agriculture Director Bridgette Readel recently discussed a wave of open records requests targeting permitted livestock facilities across the state. According to Readel, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring was alerted that producers managing larger herds of cattle or hogs in confinement barns and feedlots were contacted by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. While the letters state no direct action is required from the farmers, they have sparked significant concern within the agricultural community.
The release reads as follows:
“Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has been made aware that producers operating permitted livestock facilities have been receiving letters from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality telling them of an open records request about their facility. While the letters correctly state that no action is required on the part of the producer, there has been some confusion,” said Goehring. “Producers are not subject to open records requests but may feel the need to contact the group that is listed. The group requesting information is a non-governmental organization (NGO). If producers have any questions, they should contact the DEQ directly. The requests are being made by the Dakota Resource Council, an environmental organization generally opposed to typical agriculture operations. Do not respond back to the name listed on the request. Be sure to direct any questions directly to the DEQ at 701-328-5237.”
The Conflict Over Animal Ag Expansion
The requests come at a time of renewed investment in North Dakota’s animal agriculture. Recent initiatives like the Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund have funneled millions into the sector, including a $1 million award cycle in early 2026 aimed at food and animal production facilities. These projects leverage the state’s “wide open spaces” and abundant feedstock to build a more resilient local economy.
However, these developments have drawn scrutiny from the Dakota Resource Council. Founded in 1978, the DRC is a non-governmental organization that describes its mission as promoting sustainable use of natural resources and protecting family-owned farms. Despite their stated mission, many in the industry view the group’s tactics—such as these open records requests—as an attempt to thwart large-scale animal agriculture.
The DRC is a public charity with assets reported at over $1.2 million. Its funding is largely derived from grants and donations focused on environmental advocacy and social action,
often sourced from regional foundations and its own membership base.
The DRC has been active in its opposition to a pair of dairy farms being planned for the Red River Valley. One in Traill County, near Hillsboro, is the larger of the two sites with a
permit for 25,000 dairy cows. It stands to be the largest dairy operation in state history. A second project near Abercrombie in Richland County, is designed for 12,500 dairy
cows. The total cost of the two projects is $270 million.
In late 2025, the DRC filed lawsuits against the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, arguing that the state improperly issued permits by failing to classify
the dairies as “point sources” of pollution under the federal Clean Water Act.
By the Numbers: North Dakota’s Livestock Inventory
As of early 2026, North Dakota remains a vibrant source of livestock, though the industry faces a delicate balance between growth and regulatory pressure. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and the ND Department of Agriculture, the state’s current livestock population includes:
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1.7 million head of cattle and calves
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150,000 hogs and pigs
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62,000 sheep and lambs
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1 million chickens and turkeys
Readel emphasized that while transparency is important, the “back door” approach of using records requests to potentially target specific producers is a worrying trend for rural economies that rely on the diversification of agriculture.
“In our small towns, our rural economies, we need the banks and the insurance agents and the car and truck dealers, all of those things. And they come along for the ride when we’ve got good agriculture, and a diversified ag economy is always a good thing,” Readel explained.
Flag Family News has reached out to the Dakota Resource Council for comment. A response has not been received as of the publishing of this story. We will report any responses as they are received.
