More and more railroads were built, and as more settlers came in to settle the land, fences were being put up in the form of board/wood fences and barbed wire fences to keep cattle off their property. Other ranchers put up barbed wire Fencing to keep other cattle of their property and to keep neighboring cattle herds mixing with their own. And, in the early 1900's and late 1800's more and more breeds from Europe and Asia were being imported into North America and being either infused into the current breeds that were so popular there, or beginning to take over, gaining popularity for better carcass merits, better weight gain, bigger calves, etc.
Cattle drivers were not profitable.
Cattle drives came to an end primarily due to the expansion of railroads, which provided a more efficient means of transporting cattle to markets without the need for long, treacherous drives. Additionally, the overgrazing of land and the introduction of barbed wire fencing restricted cattle grazing areas, making traditional drives less feasible. The rise of large-scale ranching operations and changing economic conditions also contributed to the decline of cattle drives, as ranchers shifted to more sustainable and profitable methods of cattle management.
Not very profitable, thanks to increased prices in fertilizer, feed, and fuel to feed and care for cattle.
Ranchers made the western cattle industry profitable. They did this by selling and raising cattle for food and agricultural purposes.
Cattle Farming can be a profitable business.
to get cattle to the market.
Cattle drives
The cattle industry originated in Ancient Egypt over 5000 years ago. Same with the cattle drives.
The western cattle industry was very profitable because the cattle cost very little to feed. The cattle were also worth very little in the south but roughly tripled in value when shipped to the north.
The western cattle industry was very profitable because the cattle cost very little to feed. The cattle were also worth very little in the south but roughly tripled in value when shipped to the north.
The price of cattle was one factor that allowed cattle ranches to be so profitable during the boom period. Beef on the hoof was about $15 to $20 a head. Cattle were sought after to feed the thousands of immigrants that came to the United States looking for work and a better life.
That depends on how far the cow hands had to drive the cattle. Most cattle drives lasted anywhere from a week to several months.