PHOTOS COURTESY RON ASKIN DRILLING
Earth, water, wind and sun
TECHNOLOGY CHANGES, IMPROVES WATER SUPPLY By Tamara Choat
I
n the 18th century the Great Plains were referred to as the “Great American Desert,” unfit for cultivation. There was water – but it was 300 feet under the earth. The development of the metal windmill to supply water for livestock, gardens and home life opened up the entire frontier to settlement.
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Homeland SPRING 2020
Water has always been a limiting factor in land use. Windmills were the original “off-grid” solution, but as new solar technology becomes available, turbines are slowly starting to join horse-drawn wagons and black powder rifles. Even with the advent of electric water pumps, most places where water is desired on ranches were – and still are – far from electricity.
TRI-STATE LIVESTOCK NEWS | THE FENCE POST
