USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/25 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Mar 25, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $368.62             $364.85
 Change =>                      -4.14                0.47
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 76,506 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  41,718 Hd
Equivalent:                   $357.55             $346.21
DEMAND (Box)   34,788 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $379.69             $383.49
Live-Box Spread:             ($22.14)            ($37.28)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $391.69
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $395.49
  Live Steer:          1581   $235.38    17,732: Current Lds:           123.0
  Live Heifer:         1431   $235.16    12,010: Previous Lds:           92.0
  Drsd Steer:          1023   $372.06     9,904
  Drsd Heifer:          905   $371.99     2,072
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.34
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.09%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      62.63%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.65%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.30%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.47%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.83%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 368.62                       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            12.76   $352.09   $364.27   $381.38   $378.70   $365.93
 Certified 1-3         6.18   $345.51   $357.69   $374.80   $372.12   $359.35
 Choice 1              3.35   $342.68   $354.86   $371.97   $369.29   $356.52
 Select 1             -7.47   $331.86   $344.04   $361.15   $358.47   $345.70
 Stndrd 1-3          -32.20   $307.13   $319.31   $336.42   $333.74   $320.97
 Prime 4              -1.36   $337.97   $350.15   $367.26   $364.58   $351.81
 Choice 4            -12.82   $326.51   $338.69   $355.80   $353.12   $340.35
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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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