![]() ![]() When the first Spanish explorers came to the Americas, they brought cattle and cattle-raising expertise with them. Ranching was only firmly established in the New World of the Americas. These early ranchers used methods still associated with ranching today, such as using horses for herding, round-ups, cattle drives, and branding. ![]() The practice of raising large herds of livestock on extensive grazing lands started in Spain and Portugal around 1000 CE. History of Ranching People raised livestock throughout the Middle Ages, but usually only in small numbers on small areas of land. Resort ranches provide a more relaxing experience, with fun activities like trail rides and sing-alongs. Still others allow visitors to hunt native or imported animals. Others focus on horseback riding, offering lessons and trail rides. Some of these sites are working ranches that allow guests to help out in real ranching activities. Some ranches, nicknamed dude ranches, offer tourist facilities. They also supply materials, such as leather and wool, for clothing, furniture, and other industries. Livestock provide meat for human and animal consumption. Livestock raised on ranches are an important part of a regions agriculture. The microchip uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) to not only identify the animals owner, but also to relay information about its location and health. A microchip is implanted under the skin of the animal. Many ranchers use microchips instead of brands. Ear-tags and ink tattoos are more common. Hot brands are less frequently used on modern ranches. The scar left by the burn is the animals brand. Each animal belonging to that ranch has the design burned into its skin. A rancher or cowboy heats an iron instrument with a design unique to his ranch. The traditional brand is known as a hot brand. Branding is the process of permanently marking an animal to indicate ownership. From there, cattle are loaded into vehicles and shipped to slaughterhouses. Cattle drives start on ranches and usually end near points of major transportation routes, such as a harbor or railroad station. In the 1700s and 1800s, cowboys on horseback took a year or more to drive cattle thousands of kilometers. A cattle drive is a massive effort of moving a herd of cattle from one place to another. Round-ups also involve a large number of ranch personnel performing different tasks at the same time: veterinarians administering care to the animals, cowboys herding the animals, and wranglers caring for the ranchs horses. Even the most docile cattle or sheep are likely to become aggressive during a round-up. Animals often do not want to be rounded up and herded into a small, confined area. A round-up is one of the most difficult responsibilities of ranchers and cowboys. It can be done for a wide variety of reasons: health care (such as immunization shots) for the animals, branding, or the shearing of sheep. A round-up is usually conducted by cowboys on horseback, ATV, or other vehicle. A round-up, called a muster in Australia, is a gathering of all livestock on a ranch. Grazing is so important to Australian stations, ranchers are known as graziers. Herding also involves keeping the herd safe from predators and natural dangers of the landscape. Ranchers and cowboys often herd animals toward favorable grazing areas. Herding is the practice of caring for roaming groups of livestock over a large area. Herding, round-ups, cattle drives, and branding often symbolize ranching and cowboy culture. In Australia and New Zealand, they are called jackaroos. In Mexico and South America, cowboys are known as vaqueros. Cowboy culture is an important part of the identity of ranching regions. Cowboys often work with horses to herd cattle and sheep. Cowboys are responsible for herding and maintaining the health of animals across these vast ranches. The largest, Anna Creek station, covers almost 24,000 square kilometers (9,266 square miles). Some Australian ranches, known as stations, extend more than 10,000 square kilometers (3,861 square miles). ![]() In these regions, grazing animals are able to roam over large areas. Ranching is common in temperate, dry areas, such as the Pampas region of South America, the western United States, the Prairie Provinces of Canada, and the Australian Outback. The ranching and livestock industry is growing faster than any other agricultural sector in the world. Some ranchers also raise elk, bison, ostriches, emus, and alpacas. Ranchers commonly raise grazing animals such as cattle and sheep. Ranching is the practice of raising herds of animals on large tracts of land. ![]()
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