During the period of Mexican rule in Texas, cattle raisers, or ranchers, enjoyed several profitable advantages that were generally not available during the earlier Spanish control:
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Land Grants and Ownership: Under the Mexican government, there were more liberal policies regarding land grants. Ranchers could acquire large tracts of land, which allowed for extensive cattle ranching. This was in contrast to the Spanish system, which was often more restrictive regarding land ownership and titles.
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Economic Autonomy: The Mexican government promoted local economies and encouraged settlers to engage in agricultural and cattle ranching activities. This autonomy gave ranchers more control over their operations and the ability to make decisions that directly benefited their businesses.
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Trade and Markets: The Mexican period saw enhanced opportunities for trade, both with other regions of Mexico and with the United States. This created new markets for cattle and beef, making it possible for ranchers to sell their products more freely and at better prices than they had under Spanish restrictions.
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Less Bureaucratic Control: The Mexican government implemented policies that were less bureaucratic than those of the Spanish colonial authorities. This reduced the barrier for entry into ranching and allowed cattle raisers to operate with greater flexibility in their business practices.
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Support for Expansion: The Mexican government actively encouraged settlement and expansion in Texas, leading to an influx of settlers and growth in the cattle industry. This support included promoting the establishment of communities that could sustain ranching operations.
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Cattle Drives: The Mexican government allowed and even supported cattle drives, which were essential for moving cattle to markets. The ability to drive cattle long distances to market was a key factor in the profitability of the cattle industry.
Overall, while cattle raising was not without its challenges in either period, the transition from Spanish to Mexican rule provided Texas ranchers with greater opportunities for land acquisition, market access, and operational flexibility, which contributed to the growth and profitability of the cattle industry in Texas.