Anchor D Simmentals Ltd. is owned and operated by the Skeels family. This is a fourth generation family farm located north East of Rimbey, which has been in the family since 1937. It was a mixed beef / dairy operation until 1970 when the dairy herd was dispersed, and shortly thereafter Dan’s parents started a recipient program, along with a small beef herd. They ran around 500 head of recipient heifers, and in that time is when Dan was introduced to Simmental cattle. Dan purchased his first registered Simmental at age 10, in 1981. In 1984 he became a member of the Canadian Simmental Association, and sold his very first registered bull in the spring of 1986. Upon completion of high school Dan went to Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana.  He started working as an Auctioneer & Field Rep for Vold, Jones & Vold Auction, Ponoka, AB in January of 1990, where he is still employed. He also sells many purebred sales all across Canada. Dan has served on the Canadian Simmental Association board of directors on two separate occasions, sitting as second Vice President for one term, and advertising and promotions chair for a few years, and is currently on the Livestock Marketing Association of Canada board of directors. Dan was also a 4H leader for the past 15 years.

Karen was raised in the Ponoka area, coming from a mixed beef operation. Karen worked at the Auction Market in Ponoka as a clerk, and between a working relationship with Dan, as well as Dan being her dad’s field rep their friendship grew into an inseparable bond and they were married in 1995. Karen has been very active with YCSA helping organize prizes and buckles for the past several years. 

Mackenzie was born in 1999. She has been very active in both the Provincial and National YCSA boards, serving as President on the Provincial board and Vice President on the National board. She has her own herd of around 35 cows that carry the “MACS” prefix. She currently works for DLMS and lives just north of the home farm with her fiancé Corey Rudnik.

Garren was born in 2004. He has served on the board of directors on the Provincial and National YCSA board for several years. Garren has also been working as a ring man for the past few years and will be seen at several bull sales in the spring.. He has his own herd of around 50 cows carrying his “ADR” prefix. Garren was honored to have won the Jaren Arntzen Remembrance award in 2023, and is very active in showing Simmental cattle at several shows in the spring and fall. Garren and his girlfriend Trinity Martin live north of the main farm (former home of Rob & Joyce Muller).  

Both Mackenzie and Garren grew up in the 4H program, both being former presidents of their 4H club. Since 2013 both kids have shown cattle or attended the National YCSA event literally from coast to coast. They have both been honored to have won Alberta YCSA Aggregate titles, as well as the National Aggregate title on several occasions and have both attended the AJSA (American Junior Simmental Association) show representing Canada. 

 The families’ dedication and passion for the Simmental Breed has never wavered. They run both Purebreds and Fullblood cattle, but are most noted for their Fleckvieh Genetics. The Anchor D prefix can be found in many herds across North America, something they take great pride in. There is no greater reward than seeing your genetics excel in other programs.  A lot of credit to the success of the Anchor D program should be given to the people who helped mentor and guide Dan & Karen in the early years of the business. A few who had the largest impact were Dan’s parents Joyce & Delmer Skeels, RAJ Stock Farms; Ruth & Albert Jaburek & Richmond Farms; Rob & Joyce Muller.  The influence of great mentors is something to be commended and from this the Skeels family has truly embraced the responsibility of giving back to the industry to make it better.

Anchor D Simmentals Ltd typically breeds around 600 head of registered females each spring, with a target of calving around 450 head. They host their own bull sale in the spring as well as a female production sale in the fall. They also host 4 “Anchor D Influenced” calf sales in the fall at Rimbey, Ponoka, Westlock and Dawson Creek, helping market calves for their bull customers. They are very honored to have sold cattle throughout all of Canada, and into the USA & Mexico, as well as genetics in Australia, Ireland, Sweden & China.

They are a family focused on agriculture. They are part of the Verified Beef Program, and the Environmental Plan. They believe a few keys to the growth of agriculture are transparency, education and stewardship. People want to know where their food comes from and how it was produced. We live in a time where there is probably a larger disconnect than ever before, and it’s important for us as producers to show the world we are taking every step to do things right and that it will be sustainable for generations to come. They are grateful to the Simmental breed for being a vehicle for them to help deliver that message.

Come visit with Garren and Trinity at the stall!

Upcoming Shows attending:

Young Canadian Simmental Association National Classic @ Weyburn SK Ag Society (July 24-27, 2025)

Alberta Young Simmental Association Provincial Wildrose Classic @ Stettler AB Ag Society (July 30 - August 3, 2025)

Committed to producing superior genetics, with superior health protocol.

We are very pleased to have a strong working relationship with Boehringer Animal Health, and our local Veterinarian, Gull Lake Veterinary Services. We are one of a few herds to be recognized by Boehringer with Elite Herd Health Status, and are on the Express 10 Health Program.

Full details coming soon...