Hello!

We studied census data from the US Department of Agriculture and found that across the Great Plains, the Southern Plains (New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) have a higher percentage of small beef cow ranches (less than 20 animals) than the Central Plains (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska) and Northern Plains (Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota), and that the Northern Plains have a higher percentage of large beef cow ranches (more than 50 animals). See the attached graphs.

The data is based on eight USDA AgCensuses from 1978 to 2012, and the percentages are relative to the total number of ranches in the Northern, Central, and Southern Plains in each census.

I wonder what the main reason for this could be. My only explanation is that smaller ranches in the Northern Plains are not as economically viable as in the Southern Plains - even as a hobby ranch with the owner having a primary income from a different job - because of the lower quality forage and the shorter growing season.

Could it be based on climate, economy (state subsidies), ecology, historical traditions, or something else entirely?

I appreciate you all's input and thank you for your time!

Best,

Toni