Several factors negatively affected open range cattle ranching, leading to its decline:
- Overgrazing and depletion of grasslands: The open range pastures became unable to support the growing number of cattle, leading to overgrazing. This caused soil exposure, drying, and difficulty for grasslands to recover, reducing native feed and pasture quality
- Arrival of settlers and fencing: As settlers arrived, they fenced off land with barbed wire, closing the open range and causing conflicts known as range wars. This limited the free movement of cattle and ended the era of open grazing
- Environmental degradation: Cattle grazing damaged the soil crust, compacted soil, and polluted water sources, which harmed biodiversity and the health of ecosystems. Unlike native bison, cattle tend to concentrate near water, causing erosion and water contamination
- Harsh weather conditions: Severe droughts and bitter winters in the mid-1880s caused massive cattle die-offs (the "Big Die-Up"), highlighting the unsustainable nature of open range grazing and the failure to manage resources properly
- Legislation and regulation: The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 was implemented to conserve soil and control grazing on public lands, ending the open range system by requiring permits and fencing to manage livestock grazing
- Economic and social pressures: Overgrazing led to a glut of cattle on the market, driving prices down. Additionally, conflicts between ranchers, settlers, and urban newcomers resistant to open range practices created legal and social challenges
In summary, overgrazing, fencing by settlers, environmental damage, severe weather, regulatory changes, and social conflicts all contributed to the decline of open range cattle ranching. These factors combined to make the traditional open range system unsustainable
