Peter Kane, of Kane Farms, said more than 60 cattle sold at his family’s annual on-farm yearling bull and heifer sale in West Otago this month.
The average prices across all breeds were up on last year, he said.
"There is a bit more positivity in agriculture now compared to 12 months ago."
He attributed the positivity to the strength of the beef farmgate price, banks cutting interest rates and more dairy farmers opting to use a bull rather than straws of semen.
All of the 30 Hereford bulls and 15 heifers sold.
Those bulls had an average price of $3013 including a top price of $4600 and the heifers averaged $1625 including a top price of $2470.
Of the 8 Angus bulls on offer, seven sold for an average of $2930 including a top price of $4700.
All of the 12 Jersey bulls sold for an average of $1600.
"We are happy with the result," Mr Kane said.
Pyramid Downs Polled Herefords owner Helen Miller, of Pyramid near Riversdale, said she had a full clearance of the 35 rising 2-year-old bulls at her 29th annual sale last week.
"It is the first time in history."
Kowai Angus co-owner Gay Stringer, of Wendon Valley, said she was selling yearling and 2-year-old bulls by private treaty.
Many dairy farmers across New Zealand had bought bulls.
She had about 30 bulls to sell this season.
"We will have a pretty good clearance of the bulls on offer."
Silver Fern Murray Greys co-owner Carolyn McIntosh, of Otahu Flat in Western Southland, said she had a full clearance at her sixth annual spring bull sale last week.
All of the 10 rising 2-year-old bulls and 19 yearlings sold for an average of about $2500.
The top price for a yearling bull was $4000.
Most of the 2-year-old bulls went to the dairy industry.
About five bulls went to the beef industry including a stud in the North Island.
"We are very happy with the sale, very happy to get some beef bulls out and the stud bull, well, that's just a bonus."
She believed demand for bulls had been strong in the South due to short supply of beef cattle for reasons including farms being converted to forestry.
"Beef is looking very, very good."
Rockley Angus co-owner Katherine McCallum, of Balfour, said 24 of 30 yearling bulls sold for an average of $4100 including two selling for the top price of $7000 on October 11.
"Which is pretty good considering the season down here."
Buyers included studs Bannockburn Angus in South Westland and Leefield Station in Blenheim, Mrs McCallum said.
Beef farmer Jason Smith, of Waitane, offered more than 1500 rising 1-year-old steers and heifers, including pure Angus and Hereford cattle, at Charlton Saleyards last week.
Everything sold except two pens, which were returned to his farm to fatten.
The two pens of cattle had put on more weight than anticipated over winter, which made their liveweight too expensive for buyers.
"It closed the margin down a wee bit."
About a third of the cattle sold was heading to the North Island.
The spring yearling cattle sale had the potential to become an annual event, he said.
"Everything went pretty good. All-in-all I was pretty happy."
