Local grass finishers dominated the monthly Colac store sale, with feedlots and abattoirs noticeably absent.
Agents yarded about 600 head of cattle, in what Shelby Howard, Charles Stewart Dove said was a very solid sale.
"The black cattle were very dear," Mr Howard said.
"It doesn't take much of an animal to make $1200 now, the job is in a really good position, at the moment."
Most agents were buying for farmers looking to background cattle, before turning them off before Christmas.
"We are meant to be getting a lot more rain coming through, so people are putting that into their calculations," he said.
He said lighter cattle, between 200-300kg, sold for prices in excess of 500c/kg, while the 300-400kg were the dearest on the day.
Some cattle, weighing more than 400kg, sold for more than 400c/kg.
"I think people are finding if they are buying the heavier cattle, they will have them gone by Christmas," he said.
'"In terms of value for money, you are better off paying a bit extra and getting something with a bit more weight, than what you are to buy little cattle for $1200," he said.
"You have to keep them a hell of a lot longer, and people are working out if you can buy a steer for $1500-1700, they can have it off by Christmas."
Matthew Nelson, Charles Stewart, said about 80 per cent of the yarding went back into local paddocks.
"The season down here has been ideal, we have had a bit of warm weather and had another 20-25millimetres of rain, overnight," Mr Nelson said..
"The season just keeps on continuing."
He said Charles Stewart sold a pen of autumn drop weaner steers, for $1360.
"That's outstanding money for calves," he said.
"There've been a few people cashing in cattle early."
Phil Douglas, Nutrien Ag Solutions, described it a "winter yarding", with no prominent lines of cattle.
T&P Missen, Riverview, Werneth, was the exception, selling a line of 12, 8-10 month old Angus steers, 326kg, for $1420, or 435c/kg.
He said it was a very good quality yarding, with something for everyone.
"The strength was from local grass finishers, with one north-eastern feedlotter prominent especially on the heifers."
P&G Russell sold three Angus steers, 440kg for, $1760, 400c/kg.
TJ Gore also sold four Tillabudgery-blood Angus steers, 440kg for, $1760 or 400c/kg
Gerangawood, Gerangamete Angus sold eight Ythanbrae blood 14-16 month old steers, 375kg, for $1640, or 437c/kg.
R&J Goodall, Birregurra, sold six 10-12month old Banquet- blood Angus steers, 410kg, for $1770, or 431c/kg.
D&S Kent, Dreeite sold six Angus steers 9-10 months old, 355kg, for $1650 or 460c/kg.
They also sold five Charolais/Angus-steers, 329kg, for $1470, or 446c/kg.
Dreeite Angus sold five Angus steers, 370kg, 12-16 months old, for $1510, or 408c/kg.
GE & DJ Smith sold four Simmental steers, 393kg, for $1490, or 379c/kg.
They sold a further pen of three, 336kg, for $1450, or 431c/kg.
N & J Thorton sold eight Murduke-blood Angus steers, 326kg, for $1520, or 466c/kg.
Yaugher Charolais sold seven Charolais steers, 439kg, for $1630, or 371c/kg
A second pen of five, 378kg, sold for $1500, or 396c/kg.
Manintveld Farm Trust sold nine August/Charolais-cross steers, 387kg, 9-15 months old, for $1660, or 428c/kg.
S Chant sold five Charolais steers, 400kg, for $1410, or 352c/kg.
N Banham sold seven Murdeduke-blood steers, 336kg, for $1560, or 464c/kg.
Bostock sold six Angus steers, 389kg, for $1660, or 426c/kg..
N Place sold three Angus steers, 427kg, for $1610, or 377c/kg.
Yaugher Charolais sold five Charolais heifers, 8-14 months old, 321kg, for $1330, or 414c/kg.
Armistead Contracting sold six Limousin heifers, 330kg, for $1350 or .409c/kg.
Manintveld Farm Trust sold five Angus/Charolais-cross heifers, 9-15 months old, 303kg, for $1260, or 415c/kg.
Shelley & Sgro sold three Charolais heifers, 306kg, for $1250 or 408c/kg.
P&G Russell sold 10 Angus heifers, 398kg, for $1530 or 444c/kg.
J & E McVilley sold five heifers, 344kg, for $1450, or 421c/kg.
Pine Avenue sold five Limousin heifers, 490kg, for $1600 or 326c/kg.
Te-Aro, Larpent, sold eight Weeran-blood Angus heifers, 370kg, 10-12months old, for $1540 or 416c/kg.
T&P Missen sold 23 Angus heifers, 328kg, for $1360, or 414c/kg.
E Morrissy, Colac, sold six Red Angus heifers, 3209kg, for $1350, or 421c/kg.
Murroon Pastoral sold a pen of Hereford/Friesian heifers, 473kg, 18-20mths, for $1640 or 346c/kg.
N Banham sold seven Angus heifers, Murdeduke-blood, 311kg, for $1300, or 418c/kg.
Have you signed up to Stock & Land's daily newsletter? Register below to make sure you are up to date with everything that's important to Victorian agriculture.