Factors That Contributed to the Success of the Cattle Industry in the United States

From ice cream to barbecued ribs to leather sofas, the contributions of the cattle industry play a prominent role in the American lifestyle. Both dairy farmers and beef ranchers have enjoyed success because of several geographic and technological factors - the abundance of cattle feed, advancements in animal health and welfare, inventions such as the milking machine and the growth of diverse distribution channels.

  1. Abundant Feed

    • Early in American history, the country was covered with vast, lush grasslands. Cattle ranchers moved herds through meadows, plains and down riverbanks to get the proper amounts and types of food. Once farmers began fencing off their land to protect their crops from grazing cattle, ranchers had more difficulty moving their herds. They began supplementing the cow's natural grass diet with farm-grown grasses and grains, such as alfalfa and corn. This meant the dairy and beef farmer could raise more cows in a smaller space. Abundant, cheap corn and its byproducts have become the staple food for today's cattle, according to Michael Pollan, author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma."

    Improved Health and Welfare

    • Veterinary care and medications increased the success of the cattle industry greatly. Before modern veterinary methods, farmers and ranchers often lost whole herds of cattle to highly contagious diseases, such as hoof and mouth disease. Veterinarians assisted cows with calving, treated them for worms and other parasites and created food supplements to benefit their health. Animal behavior scientists, such as Temple Grandin, also designed humane feed lots and slaughterhouses to safeguard cattle's mental and emotional health. Today, fifty percent of the cattle industry in the United States and Canada use Grandin's designs, since a stress-free cow gains weight better and produces healthier dairy and meat products.

    Automation

    • For most of human history, only six cows could be milked in an hour, producing about 150 gallons a day. In the 1890s the milking machine was invented. This innovation increased the numbers of cows milked per hour to 100, which increased the daily yield to 2,500 gallons, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Using this automated process, even a small family farm could become a thriving dairy producer. The USDA says that 99 percent of dairy farms are family-owned today.

    Distribution

    • Before widespread distribution channels were developed, each family had its own cow, milking it daily and making butter, cheese and yogurt for home consumption. With the creation of reliable roads connecting farms and towns, farmers could deliver milk by horse-drawn wagon, but distribution was still limited. When the railroad was introduced, farmers and ranchers were able to transport dairy and meat products across the country. Trucking and refrigeration widened the distribution network even farther. With each new distribution channel, the cattle industry became more successful.