Work to prepare this region's first community pasture on land leased from the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority is progressing.
Lambton Cattlemen's Association President Chad Anderson said grass seeding was recently completed.
"We're really lucky to get that done this early," Anderson said. "They're wet farms, so it wouldn't be ready very early. So, we're lucky to have the dry weather we've had. We've cleaned out the old fence rows and we're just getting ready to start installing the new perimeter fence."
The 600 acre property is located south of Brigden, near Wallaceburg, on land acquired when the Darcy McKeough floodway was put in.
"This year is just getting all of the infrastructure in place for grazing cattle next year," Anderson said. "It's grass and legumes, like clover and trefoil. They can be difficult to establish, especially on pretty unforgiving clay soil we're working with. We need mother nature to help us along."
Anderson said they'll focus on officially developing a pasture membership more in the fall.
"Right now we're focused on getting all of the pasture developed," he said. "We still have to do some water work and, once we get the perimeter done and the grass is established, then we've got to start working on the interior fencing and... that's where we've kind of got our head down focused on. We can't promise grazing until we have that ready."
An associate membership was created by the Association of Community Pastures to operate the land in 2025.
Since then, Anderson said they've been incorporated as a non-profit association, the Lambton St. Clair Community Pasture Association, and an inaugural board has been formed.
