Source:  tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/5/10

Tyson Foods Inc. said it was "extremely disappointed" by a jury's decision to award 10 poultry growers in Oklahoma a $7.3 million verdict for what they claimed were unethical practices.

Tyson said it will appeal the ruling in McCurtain County court, which it called a "miscarriage of justice."

"Throughout the trial the jury was presented with a tabloid-style rumor mill of mostly fabricated evidence that had absolutely nothing with the plaintiffs' claims in the lawsuit. This fostered an atmosphere in which a miscarriage of justice was almost certain to occur," Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said in a statement e-mailed to Meatingplace. "We moved for a mistrial on five separate occasions prior to the jury's verdict and we believe we have strong and numerous grounds to appeal the outcome of the proceeding."

The poultry growers, according to media reports, alleged Tyson pressured them into building new chicken houses but paid them less than they needed to break even.

Tyson said 225 contract growers raise broilers for its Broken Bow, Okla., plant, including 79 in McCurtain County. The company said it has honored its contracts with growers and has a good working relationship with them.

The Broken Bow plant and related operations, including a feed mill and hatchery, generate an estimated annual economic benefit of $75 million. Tyson employs almost 1,100 people in McCurtain County and is spending nearly $30 million to upgrade the plant. The project involves installing new equipment and adding 230 jobs.

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