Occasions arise when it is necessary to transport cattle across state lines, especially from smaller states. One reason for interstate movement is the purchase of cattle from another state or selling cattle to an out-of-state buyer.

Since the 1800s, Texas has been an open-range state – meaning it is not mandatory for livestock owners to fence in their livestock to prevent them from roaming. Livestock that wanders onto the land belonging to another are not classified as trespassers, and owners are not responsible for any damages caused by the livestock. However, local county ordinances and U.S. state highways may modify the common law.

Back in mid-May, I drove down to grain my yearling Angus bull. On the way, I passed two utility trucks working on running a new cable.

The actual transfer of farm ownership as well as the transition of management control to the next family farming generation is often a journey with many emotional struggles and potential conflicts involved.

It was supposed to be me – I was supposed to be the first to go. Statistically, the husband dies first, so Pam and I made provisions for that far off, but seemingly inevitable, event. 

Given their rich state history, most Texans think of their home as being open range – meaning animals are allowed to “roam at large.” Said another way, it is a “fence out” state, so landowners must put up sufficient fences if they want to prevent animals from roaming across their land.

Traceability is coming. It’s an inevitability – but also an exciting change for the industry. However, it’s a daunting and ambiguous subject when you think about it.

The old adage, “Good fences make good neighbors” is still applicable in today’s society. Across the U.S., there are thousands of miles of fences, and the vast majority of these fences are located along boundary lines between landowners or along state or U.S. roadways.