USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 02/17 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Tue, Feb 17, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $362.21             $355.27
 Change =>                      -1.50               -0.49
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 83,274 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  50,871 Hd
Equivalent:                   $371.67             $362.32
DEMAND (Box)   32,403 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $352.76             $348.22
Live-Box Spread:              $18.91              $14.10
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $364.76
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $360.22
  Live Steer:          1590   $245.28    28,254: Current Lds:           119.5
  Live Heifer:         1401   $245.65    13,483: Previous Lds:           50.2
  Drsd Steer:          1014   $381.16     6,950
  Drsd Heifer:          917   $380.96     2,184
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.90
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.83%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.42%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.10%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.35%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.73%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.17%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.44%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.73%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 362.21                       Carcass Weights
                             400-500#500-600#  600-900#  900-1000#  1000#/up
 Qlty/Yield      (1)           -29.29    -17.11               -2.68    -15.45
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 Prime 1-3            13.26   $346.18   $358.36   $375.47   $372.79   $360.02
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $338.85   $351.03   $368.14   $365.46   $352.69
 Choice 1              3.35   $336.27   $348.45   $365.56   $362.88   $350.11
 Select 1             -5.47   $327.45   $339.63   $356.74   $354.06   $341.29
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.49   $301.43   $313.61   $330.72   $328.04   $315.27
 Prime 4              -0.86   $332.06   $344.24   $361.35   $358.67   $345.90
 Choice 4            -12.82   $320.10   $332.28   $349.39   $346.71   $333.94
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*Reflects total boxed beef load count from past 5 days
multiplied by 75, the average head per boxed beef load.
(1) differentials based upon current premiums and discounts.
Note: Index reflects simple average of live and box equivalents.

Source: USDA Market News Service, Des Moines, IA
        Bryant Smith  515-284-4460  Desm.LPGMN@ams.usda.gov
        24 Hour recorded market information 515-284-4830
        www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/NW_LS410.txt
        www.ams.usda.gov/LPSMarketNewsPage

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