Kyneton agents reported a strong monthly store sale, on the back of improved confidence among local restockers.
John Robson, Landmark, said the sale was stronger than he initially expected.
"The fat job has come back a fair bit this week, but we had a good line-up of quality cattle," Mr Robson said.
"The sale was a fair bit dearer than what it was, last month."
Agents yarded 806 head of cattle.
Mr Robson said commission buyers, Landmark International and feedlots were among the volume purchasers.
"The quality and condition of the cattle attracted the right buyers," he said.
"Unfortunately, I think a lot of the heifers will end up going back to the feedlots, which will be the end of them, but it is what it is, and you have to take the most money for them."
He said lines of lightweight cattle made in excess of 330 cents a kilogram, and heavier cattle made between 320-330c/kg.
Dean Coxon, Elders, said there was a better run of cattle, resulting in the higher prices.
"We don't generally yard a huge amount of heavier cattle, we had a few and they were well supported," Mr Coxon said.
He said commission buyers were active, as were local and Ballarat bullock restockers.
"There was one major feedlot from Balranald," Mr Coxon said.
"The breeding of our stock is probably going from strength to strength.
"There is probably a little bit more money in our area, with a lot of Melbourne people coming up and not afraid to put some money back into the genetics of the cattle."
Kieran McGrath, McGrath Rodwells, said even though there had been a dip in the prime cattle market, buyers had confidence in the cattle job.
"They've got grain, they've got hay, and they have got to use it, it's no good having empty paddocks," Mr McGrath said.
"It was good to see the confidence displayed by all parts of the industry."
He said the heavier cattle sold very well, considering the bullock job.
"The true weaner steers and yearling steers sold to solid competition, up to 340c/kg, heifers up to 315-320c/kg, so it was a very, very solid sale."
Granite View, Black Hills, sold 10 Angus steers, 537kg, for $1470, or 273c/kg.
The property's second pen of 11 steers, 487kg, sold for $1360, or 279c/kg.
A Hauke sold 15 Weemallah-blood Angus steers, 397kg, for $1260, or 317c/kg.
G&N Bell sold six Adameluca and Glendan Park-blood steers, 465kg, for $1340, or 288c/kg.
A second pen of 11 steers, 383kg, sold for $1140, or 297c/kg.
Tamana Farm's 10 Hereford steers, 426kg, sold for $1190, or 279c/kg.
The feature line was 104 head of steers and heifers, offered by Bassett and Roberts.
The first pen of 22 Te Mania and Banquet-blood steers, 345kg, sold for $1170, or 339c/kg, while a second pen of 24 steers, 310kg, sold for $1080, or 348c/kg.
F&R Tobin sold 12 Shorthorn/Charolais-cross steers, 277kg, for $950, or 342c/kg.
Heifer sales hit $1180 for a pen of eight Adameluca-blood females, 435kg, offered by Hannagan, which sold for 271c/kg.
PC & MD Bruton sold 15 Adameluca-blood heifers, 395kg, for $1150, or 291c/kg.
A pen of seven Viewly heifers, 395kg, sold for $1070, or 270c/kg.
Bassett and Roberts' pen of 20 heifers, 307kg, sold for $880, or 286c/kg.
G&N Bell sold a pen of 11 heifers, 345kg, for $920, or 266c/kg.
Of the cows and calves, Boland Valley sold 4x4 heifers and calves for $1570.
T Minns sold 3x3 heifers and calves for $1290.
D&L Gordon sold a Red Angus cow with third calf at foot, for $1350.
A Thompson sold 4x4 cows, depastured to an Angus bull, and calves for $1250.