W.A. Ranches connects water research with real-world agricultural challenges

In late July, University of Calgary students, researchers and collaborators visited W.A. Ranches for a tour and presentations focused on water research, drought, and the connections between agriculture, water security and environmental change.

“Without water, there is no grass and no cattle ranching,” says W.A. Ranches director Dr. Ed Pajor, PhD, a professor with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. “The research that is being done on water security and soil moisture is essential and W.A. provides a unique opportunity as a commercial cow-calf operation and a living laboratory.” 

In recent years, UCalgary has made substantial investments at its teaching and research facility northwest of the city to address concerns about water, including drilling new wells, installing cisterns for water storage and adopting practices such as cover cropping that improve the soil’s capacity to store water.

W.A. Ranches is a cattle ranch gifted to UCalgary in 2018 by Jack Anderson and Wynne Chisholm now utilized by faculties including Veterinary Medicine, Science and the Schulich School of Engineering.

The July site visit gave participants an opportunity to see how water challenges such as drought play out in an applied agricultural setting and is a reminder that water security is not only a modelling or policy question. It’s a practical challenge shaped by local weather, infrastructure, land management, livestock needs and the decisions producers make in response to changing conditions.

The visit also emphasized the value of field-based learning and provides a case study for those attending the One Health Summer Institute at W.A. Ranches from Aug. 26 to 28.

“As an undergraduate student intrigued by the various kinds of research being conducted through the University of Calgary, visiting W.A. Ranches proved to be an enlightening experience,” says Ini Ogun, a civil engineering undergraduate student. “Learning about different kinds of research methodologies, such as soil moisture stations and hydrologic monitoring equipment, emphasized to me the importance of striving to understand more about water.” 

Field visits create the opportunity for interdisciplinary learning and help students see how water moves through agricultural systems, how land and livestock management depend on reliable water access, and how research questions are shaped by the needs of communities, producers and ecosystems. This kind of hands-on experience is central to training the next generation who will need both technical expertise and the ability to work across disciplines.

Planning for future water conditions

UCalgary water researchers are working to improve understanding of drought, water availability and hydrologic prediction in Alberta and beyond. Their work supports planning for future water conditions, while also contributing to broader national and global efforts to strengthen water security. 

Dr. Alain Pietroniro, PhD, a professor with the Schulich School of Engineering, says the W.A. Ranches observatory provides a unique opportunity to better understand the role of soil moisture and precipitation in seasonal and sub-seasonal water prediction. 

“By combining field observations with advanced hydrological models and satellite information, we will improve our ability to characterize watershed conditions, enhance forecasting skills, and support more informed water-management decisions,” he says. “The site will also complement ongoing groundwater, isotope and hydrometeorological research, creating an integrated research platform that will advance our understanding of watershed processes and help improve flood and drought forecasting in Alberta.”  

Attend the One Health Summer Institute

Taking place at W.A. Ranches, this year’s One Health Summer Institute will build on these connections between water and agriculture, focusing on addressing the water-agriculture connection and explore how a One Health approach can support watershed planning in agricultural landscapes. Graduate students and postdocs are invited to attend. Register by Aug. 24.

Learn more about the institute.