Welcome to the 2nd Annual Queen Ann Bull Sale!
Thank you for taking the time to at least open this catalog. I know there are many, many bull sale catalogs that come to the addresses of all cattle producers across this great nation. The simple fact that this catalog didn’t go immediately in the trash, is something I am very thankful for. Once again, thank you for your time.
For those of you who don’t know my background, I was once a part of the Diamond Peak Cattle program. I was involved since its inception and involved in the growth of the program. From the first year when we sold 20 bulls, until my last year when we marketed over 700 bulls. My brother now carries that name and markets those bulls. Queen Ann has all registered Angus cattle from the Diamond Peak program.
The roots of Diamond Peak Cattle genetics came from feeding cattle to finish, and finding out that the performance was below average. My dad, John, wanted to change that. His decision was to breed all of our cows to New Design 878. The thought was that it would be the best/quickest way to get genetic uniformity. Fast forward 25 years, and I think he has been proven right.
Going forward Queen Ann will use very few sires, 1-4 per year, and cover 100% of the cow herd. “Sticking to our roots” in that sense. Queen Ann Cattle has a “type” of cattle that we like. I have been invested in nearly all sectors of beef production, and lost money in nearly all of them. Losses, more than gains, have been the foundation of my cattle selection process. The opportunity to start Loma Livestock with my wife Nattiel in 2019 has also given me some important insight on what cattle sell the best.
Cattle that have made us money all share similar attributes. They are sound in structure that helps them carry the weight that is necessary to be profitable. They are also long-bodied and capacious. We believe that all traits together make a bull. We are not single trait focused. However, we do lean towards the traits that we believe make money, and that is pounds. In the current market scenario, the market is calling for more lbs. We will need to be able to produce more with less going forward. Making sure that the calves you are raising can reach a finish weight of at least 1600 lbs and more, are going to be essential for the profitability of the feeder that is buying them. Profit for the people at the next level is the ultimate driver behind the prices you will receive for your calves.
Next, just to briefly touch on the current cattle market. In the word’s of my Papou, “the person who burns his/her tongue on the gravy blows on the yogurt.” I think most of us vividly remember 2014-2015 and the subsequent years that followed. It was a fast downhill slide so fast it made your head spin. It also left most of us partly, or fully, broke. The fact that you are reading this now means that you made it. That always speaks to the intelligence and perseverance that we have as an industry. I will tell you; I have been blowing on a lot of yogurt during this run, and it would be hard to find someone who has been more wrong than I have been during the last 6 months. What makes this time different? We have seen this same thing repeatedly in history, so it is a good question: Why would this time be any different? I think it boils down to a few things. There have been very few heifers kept to replace an aging cow herd. The overall age of the producers is also getting older. Livestock Risk Protection, (LRP) is now available, and it offers a cost effective way to mitigate risk. This supply side shortness coupled with red-hot beef demand that came from first, Covid payments and secondly, the carnivore diet. Beef is cool again. Lastly, Taylor Sheridan in his Yellowstone series, like it or hate it, brought the cowboy culture back to mainstream. Inherently, there are risks out there, the price ranges will be large and the swings volatile. This shouldn’t be anything you can’t handle, as long as you don’t look....
I want to give a special thanks to my wife Nattiel. She is the foundation and the work force behind all that we do. From being an incredible momma and wife, to the best business partner I have ever had. She is the reason we were able to get as many bulls and horses registered as we did. She is the reason we get most of our work to the finish line. John, Alex, and I are lucky guys.
The bulls offered up in this year’s sale offer a look at what we want in cattle. These are the top 20% of the 2024 born bull crop. They were all picked solely on their phenotype as a calf at branding time. Featuring sires such as Crouch Congress, SS Trump, Basin Jumbo, and Cherry Creek Blue Collar.
Lastly, we at Queen Ann can make one promise to our customers: we will always be fully invested on trying to make the best cattle for you. Lord willing, we will be able to continue our work for many years to come.
Thank you once again for making one of your biggest investments, an investment in your future genetics, with our program. We cannot wait to share some conversation, and good times with all of you at our upcoming sale.
George and Nattiel Raftopoulos
Cherry Crk Blue Collar G275
S S Niagara Z29
Tehama Patriarch F028
Tehama Elite Blackbird D826
KM Broken Bow 002
Cherry Crk Envita B211 S
Cherry Crk Envita 1042 S
Hoover Dam Jet S S X144
Connealy Thunder Tehama Elite Blackbird Z630
Summitcrest Complete 1P55
Summitcrest Princess 0P12
LCC New Standard
C R Miss Envita 7297-1103B Basin Jumbo 1315
Basin Payweight Plus 6048
Basin Payweight 1682 EXAR Royal Lass 2810
Basin Lucy 3150
Basin Rainmaker P175 Basin Lucy 1667
Basin Payweight 006S 21AR O Lass 7017
Connealy Consensus 7229 Exar Royal Lass 1067
Basin Rainmaker 747L
Basin Blackcap Lady 693L
Hoover Dam
Basin Lucy W213
Q A Congress Charm 7542
Ultimate Trump 9171
Q A MR Iron Horse 0459
The herd of the Queen Ann Cattle Company run in the rugged pastures of northwest Colorado. It’s here that the cattle have to prove themselves. They have to be able to travel at high elevations to water through thick brush and over rocks, be fertile and breed up on time, keep their structure sound, and wean a heavy calf in the fall. If they don’t, they leave the program.
Maternal traits are a crucial consideration in our breeding program, alongside the importance of selecting PAP-tested bulls with strong growth potential. In a changing industry where efficiency is key, we prioritize beef production while maintaining quality grades.
Our dedication to improvement through multi-trait selection ensures that our genetics remain at the
forefront of the industry.
the
Queen Ann Cavvy We present
I have been in the horse program since I was 12 years old. It was horses that kept me involved in the cows - wanting to be a cowboy and pushing cows around on a good horse is why I wanted to be in the cattle industry initially.
We have taken bloodlines that most people would think couldn’t make ranch horses, or wouldn’t work in the desert. But we have proven they can and do. These horses have been raised in the wide open spaces of the high desert, learning to move through sagebrush, rocks and uneven ground. They know where to put their feet. Their mom’s showed them where to find water. They are tough, and their bloodlines will perform on the ranch and in the arena.
Four Gin Hancock is the stud we bought 12 years ago out of the Haythorn Sale. He has worked so well for us and always gives us a strong offering. He is still at the ranch today! We also bought some mares from the Robert Waltrip program that is very well known for their cutting horse genetics.
Our horses are used every single day at the ranch. It is rough country coupled with long days. These two and three year olds in the offering were started right and are ready to go in any direction you point them. It is with much excitement we present these ranch raised horses.
What will you find in these horses?
Bloodlines, bone and a ranch background.
QA Dashin Daisy
QA Playguns Gin
DOB: 8/19/23 AQHA
Four Six Hancock
Four Gin Hancock
Four Gin West
Busy Shogun PG Showgun
Miss Busy Body
DOB: 7/21/22
Four
PG
Busy
Miss
Tanquery
Figure
QA Playguns Gin
Tanquery
Figure
Tanquery
Just like our cattle program, we have taken bloodlines into our cavvy that some people wouldn’t think belong on the ranch or in the
We are here to say they have proved themselves in both places.
PG Showgun
Four
Thank you!
Our family sincerely appreciates your friendship, business and support. Please contact us any questions as our welcome mat is out and door always open.
George & Nattiel Raftopoulos
2nd Annual Bull Sale
PAP tested registered Angus yearling bulls & ranch raised horses 1pm MST Loma Livestock Loma, CO Saturday, May 10, 2025 . .
Lot 26 in October 2024 in the high desert of Colorado