In 1878, Texas cattleman Henry H. Campbell sold a herd of longhorns in Chicago, partnered with banker A. M. Britton, and established a ranch in Motley County, Texas. A year later, they formed the Matador Cattle Company, which was sold in 1882 to Scottish investors who incorporated it as the Matador Land and Cattle Company, Limited. Campbell stayed on as superintendent, overseeing improvements like fencing and water infrastructure. In 1890, Scottish cattleman Murdo Mackenzie became manager, enhancing the herd with purebred stock until his resignation in 1912, when his nephew John MacBain took over. By 1933, the company controlled nearly 900,000 acres across North America and, after weathering the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, was eventually sold to various individuals and groups.
The Canadian branch of the ranch was located north of the South Saskatchewan River, in the Kyle, Saskatchewan district. From 1905 to 1921, the company leased 140,000 acres in the Coteau Hills. In 1921, a crippling U.S. tariff on imported beef brought an end to the Matador’s Canadian operations, prompting the relocation of 3,500 head of cattle to Montana.
W.M. Pearce's The Matador Land and Cattle Company is a business history of the renowned beef cattle enterprise.
