USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/03 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Tue, Mar 03, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $371.10             $361.42
 Change =>                       3.37                0.20
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 73,170 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  41,619 Hd
Equivalent:                   $366.14             $356.26
DEMAND (Box)   31,551 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $376.05             $366.58
Live-Box Spread:              ($9.91)            ($10.32)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $388.05
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $378.58
  Live Steer:          1574   $242.74    19,386: Current Lds:            90.2
  Live Heifer:         1415   $242.87    11,886: Previous Lds:           72.8
  Drsd Steer:          1018   $382.63     8,877
  Drsd Heifer:          919   $382.69     1,470
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.21
 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 = 371.10                       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   $355.07   $367.25   $384.36   $381.68   $368.91
 Certified 1-3         5.80   $347.61   $359.79   $376.90   $374.22   $361.45
 Choice 1              3.35   $345.16   $357.34   $374.45   $371.77   $359.00
 Select 1             -6.01   $335.80   $347.98   $365.09   $362.41   $349.64
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.77   $310.04   $322.22   $339.33   $336.65   $323.88
 Prime 4              -0.86   $340.95   $353.13   $370.24   $367.56   $354.79
 Choice 4            -12.82   $328.99   $341.17   $358.28   $355.60   $342.83
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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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