Shrinking Pastures: The Impact of Range Policy on the Economic Viability of the Sheep Industry in the American West, 1860-1920

This article examines the growth and decline of the sheep industry in the American West between 1860 and 1920, particularly the effects of legislative actions concerning access to public lands. It looks at how woolgrowers handled relationships with other land users, how the industry responded to regulatory frameworks, and how these dynamics affected the structure and sustainability of the wool trade. The study, based primarily on government records, follows the industry to its peak in the late 19th century and gradual decline due to numerous environmental and economic factors. It sheds light on the difficulties of overgrazing, land rivalry, and regulatory interventions that affected the growth of sheep farming, giving insight into its workings.