CALGARY — The University of Calgary has lassoed a $44 million ranch for its veterinary education program.

The cattle operation west of the city is being donated as a gift by Jack Anderson and his daughter Wynne Chisholm.

The university says the ranch will help transform it into an international leader in veterinary health, education and research.

The working ranch includes about 1,000 head of cattle.

The actual transfer of possession of W.A. Ranches to the university is set for November.

Wynne Chisholm says her family hopes the donation will lead to improvements in animal care and welfare.

“We are gifting the assets of our ranch to the University of Calgary to create a world leading centre of excellence in beef cattle research,” she said Friday in a release.

The W.A. Ranches website says the commercial cow-calf operation raises Angus cattle near Cochrane.