A modern Mexican Rodeo, Springfield, NE, 2003
Source: NET Television |
This enclosure of cattle was a big change from the early ranching style in Nebraska. Those who brought cattle north from Texas after the Civil War brought with them their own concepts of land use. In Texas, ranches were based on a system developed by the Spanish. Herds were managed by a caporal (foreman) and several vaqueros (cowboys: vaca is Spanish for "cow"; vaquero later was anglicized to "buckaroo"). The "ranch" was simply a cluster of buildings. Cattle ranged freely on public land, fending for themselves. |
 |
Modern-day vaqueros still possess remarkable skills in roping, branding, and rounding up cattle. Watch this video at a Mexican Rodeo in Springfield, Nebraska, and find out more about the Spanish influence on cowboy culture. |
|
Ephraim Swain Finch branding cattle on the Milldale Ranch
near Arnold, Custer County, Nebraska
Source: Nebraska State Historical Society |
Cattle were branded so that an individual could identify his animals. Periodically, the rancher would organize a roundup to gather his cattle together and drive them to market.
|
In this Branding video, some modern cowboys show us how old-style branding was accomplished. |
|
John Bratt, Nebraskan rancher, circa 1870
Source: Nebraska State Historical Society |
When early ranches were established in western Nebraska, they followed this Spanish-Texan model. Cattle were ranged on huge tracts of land. For example, an early Nebraskan rancher, John Bratt, had a ranch that extended from North Platte to the Republican River.
|
Find out what it took to be
a rancher in this time period
in the video, Ranches. |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
| Click this button to print this page of the story. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High Falutin’ Beef
