USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/06 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Mar 06, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $370.72             $361.64
 Change =>                       0.23               -0.77
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 51,044 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  19,777 Hd
Equivalent:                   $366.21             $356.33
DEMAND (Box)   31,267 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $375.22             $366.95
Live-Box Spread:              ($9.01)            ($10.62)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $387.22
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $378.95
  Live Steer:          1561   $241.89    11,043: Current Lds:            65.3
  Live Heifer:         1412   $242.58     6,408: Previous Lds:           96.2
  Drsd Steer:          1031   $380.83     1,789
  Drsd Heifer:          901   $381.08       537
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.18
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.61%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.26%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.01%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.18%
 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 = 370.72                       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   $354.69   $366.87   $383.98   $381.30   $368.53
 Certified 1-3         5.80   $347.23   $359.41   $376.52   $373.84   $361.07
 Choice 1              3.35   $344.78   $356.96   $374.07   $371.39   $358.62
 Select 1             -6.01   $335.42   $347.60   $364.71   $362.03   $349.26
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.77   $309.66   $321.84   $338.95   $336.27   $323.50
 Prime 4              -0.86   $340.57   $352.75   $369.86   $367.18   $354.41
 Choice 4            -12.82   $328.61   $340.79   $357.90   $355.22   $342.45
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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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