Wind turbines provide half of income for Kansas rancher

On a 7,000-acre ranch near Beaumont, Kansas, Pete Ferrell has integrated wind energy production with traditional cattle ranching. Ferrell’s 50 wind turbines are part of the Elk River Wind Project, which consists of 100 GE turbines with a total capacity of 150 MW.

Since the project began operating in 2005, royalties from the wind turbines have provided approximately half of Ferrell’s income. These payments offer financial stability that is less susceptible to the volatility of livestock prices, drought, or grazing conditions. The Elk River Wind Project spans roughly 7,907 acres across five landowners, and the physical footprint of the turbines allows cattle grazing to continue on the surrounding land.

This model reflects broader trends in Kansas, where wind energy accounted for 52% of the state’s electricity generation in 2024. Kansas currently holds the third-highest wind energy share in the United States, following Iowa and South Dakota.