North Dakota Livestock Producers Warned of Open Records Requests

Agriculture officials raise concerns over wave of inquiries targeting permitted facilities

Mar. 23, 2026 at 9:55pm

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North Dakota agriculture officials are warning livestock producers about a wave of open records requests targeting permitted facilities across the state. The requests, made by the environmental group Dakota Resource Council, have sparked significant concern within the agricultural community as the industry faces growing investment and expansion.

Why it matters

The open records requests come at a time of renewed investment in North Dakota's animal agriculture sector, with initiatives like the Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund funneling millions into the industry. However, these developments have also drawn scrutiny from groups like the Dakota Resource Council, who view the expansion of large-scale animal operations as a threat to family farms and the environment.

The details

According to Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, producers managing larger herds of cattle or hogs in confinement barns and feedlots have been contacted by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, informing them of the open records requests. While the letters state no direct action is required from the farmers, they have sparked significant concern within the agricultural community. The Dakota Resource Council, a non-governmental organization generally opposed to typical agriculture operations, is behind the requests.

  • In late 2025, the DRC filed lawsuits against the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, arguing that the state improperly issued permits for two large dairy farm projects.
  • As of early 2026, North Dakota's current livestock population includes 1.7 million head of cattle and calves, 150,000 hogs and pigs, 62,000 sheep and lambs, and 1 million chickens and turkeys.

The players

Doug Goehring

The North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner who has been alerted about the open records requests targeting livestock producers in the state.

Dakota Resource Council

A non-governmental organization that describes its mission as promoting sustainable use of natural resources and protecting family-owned farms, but is viewed by many in the industry as an organization attempting to thwart large-scale animal agriculture.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Doug Goehring, Agriculture Commissioner

“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.”

— Bridgette Readel, Agriculture Director, Flag Family Media

What’s next

The judge in the lawsuits filed by the Dakota Resource Council against the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality will decide on the permits for the two large dairy farm projects.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the delicate balance between the growth of the livestock industry in North Dakota and the concerns raised by environmental advocacy groups like the Dakota Resource Council. As the state continues to invest in animal agriculture, it will need to navigate these competing interests to ensure the long-term sustainability and prosperity of its rural communities.