A specific type of large-scale agricultural enterprise dominated the landscape of the American West, particularly during the late 19th century. These farms were characterized by their immense size, reliance on mechanized equipment, and employment of a large labor force. Functioning much like industrial factories, these agricultural ventures focused on maximizing production, often of a single cash crop, such as wheat.
These expansive operations emerged due to a combination of factors, including the availability of cheap land, the development of new agricultural technologies (like the steel plow and harvesting machines), and the influx of capital from eastern investors. Their rise had significant economic and social consequences, contributing to agricultural surpluses, influencing railroad development, and shaping the political landscape of the Plains states. The scale of these operations allowed them to achieve economies of scale, but also made them vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices and labor disputes.
