In the 1880s millions of cows were living unfenced on the Great Plains. The profits made were huge, therefore more cows were led onto this ‘Open Range.’ (More cows led to more breeding increasing the numbers quicker.)
By 1887 the Open Range was stopped.
- Little water and grass meant that the Plains could not support that many cows.
- Barbed wires was used by ranchers to protect their grasslands and secure water supply.
- Too much meat flooded the markets driving down prices
- Two cold winters followed by a drought the summer killed off thousands of cows.
- Demand for meat was falling.