Craig drove down into the shallow dip below the main homestead towards the complex of offices, storerooms and tractor workshops which were the heart of the vast sprawling ranch.

In the last century much of the surrounding area was a vast ranch owned by a wealthy Chilean, Olegario Ovalle.

The inauspicious-looking northern plains proved ideal sheep-farming country, and vast ranches sprang up.

These vast ranches raised range-bred beef for Mexican and other markets.

King Kamehameha V hired the family to manage a vast ranch on the western end of the island called Molokai Ranch.

His vast ranch and the surrounding territory was known as Diego Plains.

The sherry-producing aristocracy built vast ranches alongside the vineyards, which provided an ideal environment for horse breeding.

On the vast ranches that drape over the brush-covered uplands, the annual roundup has begun.

Even there they would find little shelter, for vast ranches had begun encroaching on the natural bushveld.

Aageson, my host on the vast ranch here that he farms with his brother, Vergis, was delighted when I shot the mule deer that we had stalked.