Lord of the Auction Ring

Alberta’s own Dan Skeels is the first Canadian in 28 years to win the annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. His road to victory started in Billings, Montana, when 31 competitors had to sell several groups of cattle. Ring-side judges evaluated each contestant for vocal clarity and quality, bid-catching skill (the ability to get people in the crowd to shout out their bids) and their flair for keeping the sale moving. Each contestant was further assessed by media judges as a spokesman for the industry during a simulated news conference. Through all of this, Skeel came out to be the best livestock auctioneer in the world today.

When the 32 year old Skeels is not busy auctioneering, he operates Anchor D Ranch east of Rimbey along with raising his young family. He has been auctioneering since he was 17 and finished among the top 10 finalists on eight previous occasions before winning the crown. What made the difference this time out?

Skeels says that, "In such a talented field, it comes down to harnessing your nerves, getting your butterflies under control and using them to your advantage. It’s not easy, but you have to see the contest as just another sale in which you do the best possible job for your customer."