The Cattle Industry
Factors that led to the rise of the Cattle Industry New breed of cattle that was immune to Texas Fever tick Texas Longhorn (hardy) – mix of English and Spanish cattle
Increased land availability Price of beef rose Railheads – towns that were stops on the cattle drive, grew
Cattle ranching spread into New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana as more Indian land was given up Government allowed cattle ranchers to use public land as open range (free grazing land) Large companies owned ranches
Factors that led to the fall of the Cattle Industry Ranchers were eager to make large profits, so filled the open range with too many cattle Overgrazing damaged the grasslands
Large herds increased supply of beef – brought down prices and profits Barbed wire – end of open range Control access to land and water Limited amount of water
Bad weather Severe weather Droughts
Bonanza farms – owned by large companies, run like factories Efficient machinery and cheap land In times of severe drought – profits fell By 1890s, most bonanza farms fell apart Ranchers had to buy own land Sheep raising expanded (could survive on weeds and short grasses that cows couldn’t)