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Lecture 6, "Ways and Habits of the West," discussed the Cattle Industry and how it helped shape the Plains. The lecture began with the cowboys on the Plains and then went into the "Traditional Story." The story explained how the Spanish made their roots in the open-range cattle industry, the cattle surplus post-Civil War years and how Joseph McCoy connects supply and demand. I found it very interesting that during the Civil War the cattle were left on the range as the men went to war. The men came back to find the Plains covered with wild cattle. I find it even more interesting that no one moved in on the Plains and took over or stole the cattle, why not? Joseph McCoy began the movement of cattle across the Plains with the supply and demand principle.
As the cattle herders moved the cattle up the Plains the development of the Plains began and cattle towns were created. The law and order of these towns were soon demanded and the cattle towns eventually became farm towns. During this time the Herd law was created, something that in my opinion was a huge part of the development of the Plains. I find it amazing that cattle herders were able to move cattle with about 9 people. When I was younger my family had cattle and I looked forward to working the cows. We had the help a family friend when the time came and we would help them as well. There were about 7 of us kids and about 5 men. When were done at the end of the day there was a big supper prepared by the women.
The lecture, also, discussed the differences and similarities in the styles of Canadian and American ranching. "After the West was Won" gives an explanation of the end of the open range era. The reasons were overstocking, environmental, encroachment by settlers and barbed wirer. Iserns reasons were slack cattle market after 1885, family ranching, barbed wire and herd laws, and the synthesis of livestock and cropping. We then finished the lecture with the technologies and advances on the Cattle Kingdom. I found it interesting to see some of the factors that influence the market, like consumers taste!