Always remember you only make money when the board moves. A lot of money made on the way down and the same happens going up. Computer trades take a fraction of a second to move the MKT when the big funds are involved.
Bird flu transmitted from a dairy cow to a human. I believe it was in Texas. Info was released on Friday I think. Mkt should bounce back unless more info comes forward.
The heifers are just fine. They will just finish at a lighter weight. Most families do not want or need a beef that hangs 1000 lbs on the rail. Figure a more balanced ration and you will do just fine.
They need to have protein for growth. What are you calling brewers grain and what is its protein level. You need a balanced ration for the feeding period with an increase in starch (corn) at the end.
I would doubt that there are many buying replacements without seeing them. If they are they are probably using an order buyer that will have knowledge of the cattle.