USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/02 15:21

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Mon, Mar 02, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $367.73             $361.22
 Change =>                      -2.37               -1.53
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 74,213 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  41,752 Hd
Equivalent:                   $366.11             $356.23
DEMAND (Box)   32,461 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $369.34             $366.21
Live-Box Spread:              ($3.23)             ($9.98)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $381.34
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $378.21
  Live Steer:          1573   $242.76    19,483: Current Lds:            72.8
  Live Heifer:         1415   $242.88    11,922: Previous Lds:           73.7
  Drsd Steer:          1018   $382.63     8,877
  Drsd Heifer:          919   $382.69     1,470
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.24
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.61%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.52%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.01%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.30%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.60%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.39%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.50%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.89%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 367.73                       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   $351.70   $363.88   $380.99   $378.31   $365.54
 Certified 1-3         5.80   $344.24   $356.42   $373.53   $370.85   $358.08
 Choice 1              3.35   $341.79   $353.97   $371.08   $368.40   $355.63
 Select 1             -6.01   $332.43   $344.61   $361.72   $359.04   $346.27
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.77   $306.67   $318.85   $335.96   $333.28   $320.51
 Prime 4              -0.86   $337.58   $349.76   $366.87   $364.19   $351.42
 Choice 4            -12.82   $325.62   $337.80   $354.91   $352.23   $339.46
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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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