I also, would recommend buying from a farm - not the auction. Cattle do a little better with a companion. Have you researched how much a calf might cost?
If you purchase a weaned calf that weighs 500#, it might cost $1/lb or $500. That 500# calf will need to gain about 500-700# (depending on it's frame or growth potential). It used to cost about $350 to finish a weaned calf. Probably higher now, and that's with someone that knows how to feed properly. So, at best, you are looking at $850 investment + the cost of kill, cut, wrap & freeze.
Someone that knows how to feed a steer, can usually average about a 3#/day gain. So, if he needs to gain 600#, you're looking at 200 days of feeding. But, you may only get 1#/day gain, that's 600 days.
Are you planning on raising them on grain and hay or GRASS? or a combination of grass & grain? On grass, you might be closer to the 1# gain, on grain, closer to the 3# gain (if you fed properly.)
Soooo - buying finished beef from a local farmer might be a whole lot cheaper.