The longhorns were the only cattle available in America to be used for beef and to send East for beef and for a bit of income.
Texas Ranchers sent their longhorns on cattle drives because the demand of the cattle in Texas was low. But high in the north and east. Demand and supply affect the price of nearly everything that was bought and sold - not just the cattle.
After the Civil War Texas ranchers drove cattle in herds to Kansas because that is where the big stockyards were at the time. It was also a place for the Texas ranchers to use the railroad for shipping cattle elsewhere.
They were breeded by ranchers in the cattle drive period in 1800's. Spanish and Texan cattles were breeded together to form Longhorns. Citations: TX History Textbook Holt
So they could sell it to the city folk
So they could sell it to the city folk
Cattle Drive.
Ranchers hired cowboys to gather and drive the cattle east. The expansion of the railroads shortened the cattle drive, enabling the cowboys to simply drive the cattle to the nearest rail stockyard.
Yes, the Shawnee Trail was one of the routes used by ranchers to drive cattle from Texas to Kansas during the late 19th century. It extended from Texas through Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) and into Kansas, facilitating the transport of cattle to northern markets. This trail was significant for the cattle industry, particularly before the more famous Chisholm Trail gained prominence.
Texas ranchers grouped their cattle into herds and marched them across the countryside to get to the railroad to be shipped east or west. This was called a cattle drive and needed about 4 or more people on horseback to control where the cattle went.
The herding of cattle from Texas to railroad centers to the north was called a cattle drive. Cattle drives took many months to complete. Some of the cowboys would drive the cattle to Kansas and not want to go back to the ranch after being paid. Then ranchers would have to hire more hands the next cattle drive season.
Cowboys took cattle up to Kansas from Texas because they could get a better price for their cattle. They used the Chisolm Trail to avoid passing through areas where it was illegal or dangerous to bring Texas Longhorns, who were known to carry ticks harmful to other cattle breeds.
A cattle drive.