USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/03 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Apr 03, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $371.60             $366.13
 Change =>                       5.53                5.68
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 103,605 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  66,985 Hd
Equivalent:                   $367.43             $358.08
DEMAND (Box)   36,620 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $375.78             $374.19
Live-Box Spread:              ($8.35)            ($16.11)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $387.78
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $386.19
  Live Steer:          1573   $243.45    33,661: Current Lds:           101.6
  Live Heifer:         1420   $243.47    18,687: Previous Lds:          116.6
  Drsd Steer:          1021   $383.62    10,918
  Drsd Heifer:          902   $383.93     3,719
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.96
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.72%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.37%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.26%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.66%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.28%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.47%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.82%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 371.60                       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            12.62   $354.93   $367.11   $384.22   $381.54   $368.77
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $348.24   $360.42   $377.53   $374.85   $362.08
 Choice 1              3.35   $345.66   $357.84   $374.95   $372.27   $359.50
 Select 1             -5.47   $336.84   $349.02   $366.13   $363.45   $350.68
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.91   $310.40   $322.58   $339.69   $337.01   $324.24
 Prime 4              -1.50   $340.81   $352.99   $370.10   $367.42   $354.65
 Choice 4            -12.82   $329.49   $341.67   $358.78   $356.10   $343.33
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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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