RANDALL COUNTY FEED-LOT.

Cliff took us to see for ourselves Amarillos 'raison d'etre'. He works as a 'cow doctor' on the feed lots.

If it werent for ranching and the beef industry, there would have been little incentive to populate the panhandle region. (harsh conditions, little water etc..).

In the late 1800's however, there was a rising demand for beef from the east coast so land was practically given away to pioneers who were up for the challenge.

Today, this region provides nearly 80% of Americas beef.

After some time on the range, cattle find themselves in the feed lots for final fattening up before slaughter.

Oprah Winfreys court battle in the mid 90's took place in Amarillo following her comments about BSE and beef production. A beef-baron took her to court for slander.... and lost!
She spent 6 months living in Amarillo and broadcast her show from the local theatre.
Apparently she didnt have much nice to say about the place, except that it had fantastic sunsets!


Despite trying to 'blend in' (!!??), we drew a litle too much attention to ourselves on this visit, only to find 'the law' on our tails..... they were suspicious that we were terrorists, or animal liberationists, or diseased!