At the close of the 19th century, the independent rancher in Texas found it increasingly difficult to profit from agriculture. Corporations, foreign and domestic, with large amounts of capital, grew to dominate the market. Few independently owned ranches survived the turmoil of the 1880s due to the increased cost of production and transportation as well as declining profits. Burk Burnett stands out as an obvious exception.

While individual land holdings fell, the Burnett Ranches grew steadily in the final decades of the 1800s. To aid the struggling ranchers in Texas, Burnett and other cattlemen formed the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association in 1877. The collection of stock raisers routinely met to discuss the common problems associated with agribusiness. They encouraged programs such as registration and branding, alternating pastures and immunizations. The work they began has served the ranching industry through the decades.

Today, the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas represents both the present and the past. This is largely due to the foresight of Burk Burnett and the management and support of his descendants, who value their heritage and the prominent ranch’s place in the history of Texas and the American West.