West Texas Rancher Embraces Wind Turbines After Initial Rejection, Securing Steady Income
John E Davis eventually permitted seven turbines on his family ranch, generating regular royalties that sustain his livestock operation.
A fifth-generation West Texas rancher, John E Davis, first turned down a wind-farm offer in 2016 and again a year and a half later, but later consented to host seven turbines from the 148-MW Cactus Flats Wind Facility on his family property. Developed by RES, the project includes 43 turbines, with the Davis ranch receiving regular royalty payments that started in 2019 and are adjusted upward every five years. Davis says the predictable revenue helps cover labor, feed, fences, water equipment and repairs, offsetting the volatility of livestock markets, drought and feed price hikes.
The turbines also improved road access, cutting travel time across the ranch dramatically, and have become part of the animals’ daily environment. The wind lease has enabled Davis to fund a new Menard-area venture featuring an EV charging station, farm stand and plans for a beer garden and Wagyu beef products. He argues that renewable projects should be viewed as private-property opportunities rather than political issues.
Why it matters
Steady wind-lease payments let a traditional ranch stay viable and diversify rural economies.
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