Before there were livestock markets and sale barns dotted the Midwest prairie towns, the big ranches were sending their market stock to the huge livestock market in Chicago, IL.

So, cattle towns were midwestern frontier settlements that catered to the cattle industry. The economies of these communities were heavily dependent on the seasonal cattle drives from Texas, which brought the cowboys and the cattle that these towns relied upon. Cattle towns were found at the junctions of railroads and livestock trails. These towns were the destination of the cattle drives, the place where the cattle would be bought and shipped off to urban meatpackers, midwestern cattle feeders, or to ranchers on the central or northern plains.

Before we dive into this week, I wanted to let you know that I will be back on the road next week headed to meet with cattle producers. I have learned that cattlemen travel in very small circles, mostly from the ranch to the sale barn and occasionally to the feed store.

I took a special trip this week to Hot Barn reporting market, North Platte Stockyards. As I was getting close to North Platte, I realized I really didn’t know where I was going.

There is just something about a dog. There is something about raising kids and dogs together. And none of this has anything to do with Border Collies. You choose the dog for you and sometimes the dog chooses you!

While our Border Collie brigade plays a vital role in the inner workings of our ranch, I will tell you that there is more to having these dogs than just having them round up and push cattle.

THEE Hot Barn Report! Heard ONLY on American radio stations across the nation and online at hotbarnreport.com!

THEE Hot Barn Report! Heard ONLY on American radio stations across the nation and online at hotbarnreport.com!

There are a lot of talented cattle herding dog breeds. I would say that once you find a breed that you click with, you tend to be hooked and that is how I would describe our love for Border Collies.

There are a lot of talented cattle herding dog breeds. I would say that once you find a breed that you click with, you tend to be hooked and that is how I would describe our love for Border Collies.