OUR HISTORY
The Waldron Grazing Co-operative is a legacy of the stewardship of those before us. It exists because of respect for the land, people, animals, and ranching.
The initial land was the the Waldron Ranch originally known as the Walrond Ranch, which was founded in 1883, carved into Alberta's rugged foothills between the Whaleback and Porcupine Hills.
The Waldron land has been touched by many iconic ranching families and individuals, like Pat Burns, the King Brothers, and the A.E. Cross family. These lands and others acquired over time continue to be stewarded by community through the Co-operative.
A Living Legacy
Formation of the
Co-operative
In 1962, 116 southern Alberta ranchers came together to form the Waldron Grazing Co-operative, purchasing 44,000 acres for $1 million—one of the largest co-operative land deals in Alberta history.
The premise behind the original deal saw ranchers purchase shares in the co-op which gave them the right to bring their cattle to the Waldron Ranch area to graze. The shared land stewardship model created by visionaries, including Ed Nelson and Bill Greig, still endures today with shareholders bringing cattle to the Waldron based on the ownership of shares and stewardship of the land.
Famous for the ground-breaking conservation easement of privately owned native grasslands, the Waldron now grazes cattle on over 39,000 acres of private land with the privilege of stewarding grazing over 51,000 acres of public land.
Time Marches On
Growth and Conservation
Today, with nearly 90,000 acres under management, the Waldron Ranch remains a vital part of Alberta's ranching community.
A Rare and Valuable Ecosystem
This land—primarily native fescue grassland—holds cultural, ecological, and economic significance. Less than 5% of such grasslands remain in Canada. Through cooperation, conservation easements, and sustainable ranching practices, the Waldron continues to honour its past while protecting the future.