The cattle had been branded when they where calves. Every ranch had a brand on their animals that was unique to that ranch alone and which every cowboy in that part of the country knew which cattle...
It allowed the cattle to graze wherever they wished without the ranchers having to worry about nor plan a proper grazing operation. The term "grazing operation" or "intensive grazing" never existed...
It all depends on the size of the ranch and if the ranch is owned or leased. example: An averaged sized 30,000 acre ranch ($365.00 per acre average: $10,950,00.00 dollars in land value) in Western...