1834

Stimulated largely by the extension of railroads throughout Texas between 1870 and 1900, farm and ranching enterprises expanded rapidly as emphasis on commercial production and marketing grew. Subsistence farming and small farm operations declined.

1840s: Commercial Farming The growing use of factory-made agricultural machinery increased farmers’ need for cash and encouraged commercial farming. Developments included: 1841: A practical grain drill was patented. 1842: The first grain elevator was used in Buffalo, New York.

Wheat. Wheat for grain is one of the state’s most valuable cash crops. In 2018, wheat was exceeded in value by cotton, hay, and corn.

Texas leads all other states in number of farms and ranches. While the primary crops of Texas are cotton, corn, feed grains (sorghum, milo, etc.), rice and wheat, there is an abundance of other crops, too. From peanuts, to sunflowers to sugarcane and more.

Texas is the top producer of cotton, hay, sheep, goats, mohair and horses. Some of the state’s top crops also vegetables, citrus, corn, wheat, peanuts, pecans, sorghum and rice. Texas is one of the leading exporters of agricultural commodities.

Texas is the nation’s #1 cotton-producer. The state named cotton their official state fiber/fabric in 1997. Other important products in this category are greenhouse and nursery products, corn for grain, hay (#3 among the states), and wheat.

Blackland soil is still considered some of the most fertile soil in the state of Texas because of its high calcium content. Texas is a big state that covers 268,601 square miles.

The largest natural region in Texas. The Coastal Plains vary from being completely flat to having rolling hills. Home to more Texans than any other natural region. A plentiful water supply, coupled with its flat land, make the Coastal Plains ideal for farming and ranching.

• No. 1: King Ranch Heirs | 911,215 acres.
• No. 2: Briscoe Family | 640,000 acres.
• No. 3: O’Connor Ranch Heirs | 580,000 acres.
• No. 4: Stan Kroenke | 510,527 acres.
• No. 5: Jeff Bezos | 400,000 acres (up 110,000 acres)
• No. 6: Hughes Family | 390,000 acres.
• No. 7: Malone Mitchell 3rd | 384,000 acres.
• No.

Corn Ranch

King Ranch

Sam Middleton, Owner/Broker of Chas. S Middleton and Son Farm – Ranch Sales, announced the 6666′s Ranches sale in a release in December.

A private company, King Ranch is owned by 60 or so descendants of company founder Captain Richard King, a legendary figure in the history of cattle ranching in the United States. King Ranch celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2003.

If the Waggoner is worth $725 million, the King is worth $1.1 billion, Grunnah estimates.

The King Ranch has more of a Western styling and feel, while the Platinum can best be described as contemporary. The Platinum has a few more features that come standard, such as power running boards that deploy when you open a door, or rain-sensing wipers.

#25 Jeff Bezos owns 290,000 acres. He bought a 290,000-acre ranch in Texas in 2004, and his aerospace firm Blue Origin uses it to test space vehicles.