(Bloomberg) So much for the winter blues. It’s been so balmy across part of the U.S. that Americans have been firing up their grills at a time that’s usually better suited to sipping hot cocoa.

U.S. consumers, buoyed by optimism about the economy as well as record warm temperatures in February, have been buying up burgers like it’s summertime. Beef is on a roll, with wholesale prices rallying to the most expensive since July. It’s surprising since the usual time for outdoor barbecues typically kicks off closer to May.

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