Ranchers in Texas Used Cactus to Keep Livestock Alive

Y'all, we all know Texas summers are no joke. They’re hot, dry, and can turn green pastures into dusty fields fast. Back in the late 1940s and early 1950s, things got even worse. From 1947 to 1956, Texas went through one of the longest droughts in its history. Rivers dried up, grass disappeared, and ranchers were desperate to keep their animals alive.

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Ranchers in Texas used cactus to keep livestock alive

One of those ranchers, Clyde J. Davis from north of Lockhart, came up with a clever solution. He noticed that prickly pear cactus was everywhere, and it actually had enough water and nutrients to feed cattle. The problem? It was covered in sharp spines.

So Davis made something called a prickly pear burner, which is basically a tool that uses fire to burn off the cactus spines. Once the spines were gone, the cattle could eat the cactus safely. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked.

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This idea helped ranchers survive one of the toughest times in Texas history. The prickly pear burner might look simple today, but it represents the creativity and toughness that helped people make it through brutal conditions.

Below is a home movie from the 1950s that depicts the practice of pear burning, with a pricky pear burner. It's not the greatest image quality, but you get the idea.

Check out the video below:

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