What effect did barbed wire have on cattle drives

It hindered the efforts of raising cattle on the open range, to the point where it made it impossible without inviting range wars with farmers and other ranchers who no longer free-ranged their cattle. Cowboys had to find new and more difficult ways to herd their cattle to the stockyards that were often over 50 to 100 miles away.

It allowed them to keep the cattle in one area so that they would not run off. It also kept unwanted animals, like predators, away from the cattle. it kept the cattle safe 

When the author asks himself a series of questions, it conveys the way he thinks and where he stands.at least that's what i believe.