The first cattle raising in Texas appeared in the Rio Grande Valley. By 1680, there were several thousand cattle recorded in the El Paso region. The earliest ranches were those of Spanish missionaries. By the mid-18th century, these were joined by competing private ranches.

When did the ranching industry start?

The practice of raising large herds of livestock on extensive grazing lands started in Spain and Portugal around 1000 CE. These early ranchers used methods still associated with ranching today, such as using horses for herding, round-ups, cattle drives, and branding.

What era began the cattle industry in Texas?

Cattle drives in Texas originated about 300 years ago with the establishment of Spanish missions in New Spain's eastern province of Tejas. In the 18th century, three major European powers were competing for control of North America: Spain, France, and England.