Final answer:
Texas ranchers faced cattle herd losses post-Civil War due to overgrazing and issues arising from the introduction of barbed wire fencing, which limited cattle movement and access to essential resources, causing conflicts like the Fence Cutting Wars.
Step-by-step explanation:
Texas ranchers returning from the Civil War found that many of their cattle herds were lost or out of control mainly due to overgrazing and the practice of fencing. Overgrazing occurred as the commons were used by multiple ranchers without a coordinated approach to land management, leading to depleted resources for the cattle.
Fencing, particularly with the advent of barbed wire, further exacerbated the situation as it prohibited the free movement of cattle and limited access to grazing lands and water sources for smaller ranchers and herders. This ultimately led to various conflicts and violence such as the Fence Cutting Wars.