Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt claims family farms in the Illinois River watershed might not get their poultry contracts renewed because of the federal lawsuit his state brought against Northwest Arkansas poultry companies, according to a letter addressed to the state's attorney general, a political rival.

Arkansas state Sen. Tyler Dees, R-Siloam Springs, provided a copy of the letter to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette late afternoon Wednesday.

Stitt and Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond are in open dispute over the lawsuit. Stitt has filed a motion in federal court in Tulsa to be allowed to negotiate a settlement in the case. Drummond opposes the motion, court filings show.

"Due to this litigation, family farms across the Illinois River Watershed are hearing that their leas

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