USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 02/27 15:41

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Feb 27, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $370.10             $362.75
 Change =>                       0.10                0.88
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 115,076 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  82,424 Hd
Equivalent:                   $372.35             $363.18
DEMAND (Box)   32,652 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $367.84             $362.31
Live-Box Spread:               $4.51               $0.87
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $379.84
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $374.31
  Live Steer:          1573   $246.04    40,070: Current Lds:            73.7
  Live Heifer:         1424   $245.80    15,308: Previous Lds:           84.8
  Drsd Steer:          1018   $386.19    21,297
  Drsd Heifer:          925   $387.67     5,749
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.15
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.81%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.47%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.09%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.41%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.72%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.19%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.44%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.74%:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 370.10                       Carcass Weights
                             400-500#500-600#  600-900#  900-1000#  1000#/up
 Qlty/Yield      (1)           -29.29    -17.11               -2.68    -15.45
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Prime 1-3            13.41   $354.22   $366.40   $383.51   $380.83   $368.06
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $346.74   $358.92   $376.03   $373.35   $360.58
 Choice 1              3.35   $344.16   $356.34   $373.45   $370.77   $358.00
 Select 1             -5.29   $335.52   $347.70   $364.81   $362.13   $349.36
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.34   $309.47   $321.65   $338.76   $336.08   $323.31
 Prime 4              -0.71   $340.10   $352.28   $369.39   $366.71   $353.94
 Choice 4            -12.82   $327.99   $340.17   $357.28   $354.60   $341.83
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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

[0600059D]