'I was shocked': average up 16.5 per cent at Casa Toro's Roma bull sale

Buyers turned out in force for the 2025 Casa Toro Roma Bull Sale on Friday, September 12, where a 100 per cent clearance was achieved.

Vendors Scott and Claire York, along with children Tom and Zoe, presented 50 bulls, with the mix being predominantly traditional Simmental and 17 black Simmental bulls.

The draft averaged $14,900, grossing $745,000, which marked the highest average for the stud since 2022 and was 16.5pc higher than last year's average of $12,787 and clearance of 95pc.

The top price of $32,000 was paid by Middlemount producers Damian and Bec Finger from Fairlane Park Grazing for lot two, Casa Toro Ulan.

In comparison, last year saw a top of $35,000 and gross of $601,000.

The Fingers also purchased the second top-priced bull for $30,000, lot 19, Casa Toro Ukrain, and secured lot 57 for $14,000, giving them three picks from the catalogue.

"This is our first time buying here," Mrs Finger said.

"I made sure we put it in the calendar for this year because I had wanted to come the year before, but we couldn't make it, so we made sure to make the trip this year.

"The temperament was the biggest thing we were chasing - they're going over our Droughtmaster-based herd and also some Brangus females.

"These were our three top picks, and we were fortunate enough to secure them all."

The Fingers currently run about 1500 breeders and said the bulls would complement their breeding direction.

The top-priced bull, Casa Toro Ulan, was a 23-month-old son of Casa Toro Q36 out of Billa Park Wine P87. He weighed 1020 kilograms, scanned 148 square centimetres for eye muscle area, 10mm for P8, 7mm for rib fat and 4.8pc intramuscular fat.

The second-top bull, also secured by the Fingers, was a 23-month-old son of Billa Park Notetaker N141 out of Casa Toro Q202.

He weighed 950kg, scanned 145sq cm for EMA, 9mm P8, 6mm rib and 5.2pc IMF.

Dillon Scott from Yacamunda Investments, Collinsville, was the volume buyer of the day, taking home eight bulls for an average of $14,625.

He said the line would head north to join their 14,000-cow breeding herd across 180,000 acres.

"We purchased seven traditional bulls and one black bull, and they'll be going back over our Brahman and Charbray-based cows," Mr Scott said.

"It was a very consistent run of bulls, and they'll fit into our program well."

Mr Scott also purchased the top-priced black Simmental of the day, lot 41, Casa Toro Untouchable, for $20,000.

Casa Toro stud principal Scott York described the result as both unexpected and pleasing.

"I was shocked, to be honest - it didn't feel as strong standing in the box as what it averaged, but it was a fantastic day," he said.

"Our aim is always to breed bulls that will go out and work without any issues, carrying weight and muscle, but still soft enough to lay down fat.

"We're trying to produce genetics that give clients options, whether that's feeders, heifers or bullocks, so they can maximise their returns in whatever market they're in.

"I thought there might be a big difference between the traditional and the blacks, but they were very even on the day."

The York family plans to present a larger draft next year with an increased offering of black Simmentals.

• Agents: Nutrien and GDL