I assume most folks replying on this topic are beef producers. 

I don't know why we keep agonizing about the retail price of beef in the grocery store or restaurant. We can't control either one. Nor can we control the price of fuel, etc. Seems to me we need to focus on things we can control, not get too far over extended. Don't pay $1500 for week old calves as I saw recently on a video auction.

The USA beef business starts with the cow/calf operator. After decades of raising calves as a public service, it is finally possible to turn a profit on cow/calf. If the cow/calf guy finally making a profit upsets the whole industry then so be it.  I do see an interest in raising more calves which should level out feeder prices in time but that will take some time, like everything else with cow//calf.  Just run conservatively as possible and enjoy making a profit while we can. It does no good theorizing about spending x dollars at Starbucks.