USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/15 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Apr 15, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $370.74             $364.70
 Change =>                      -0.59               -0.59
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 63,491 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  26,071 Hd
Equivalent:                   $371.50             $362.82
DEMAND (Box)   37,420 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $369.98             $366.58
Live-Box Spread:               $1.52              ($3.76)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $381.98
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $378.58
  Live Steer:          1560   $248.38    12,350: Current Lds:           105.6
  Live Heifer:         1405   $248.08     6,838: Previous Lds:           94.6
  Drsd Steer:          1015   $388.90     4,996
  Drsd Heifer:          905   $388.40     1,887
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.80
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.61%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.48%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.01%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.42%
 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 = 370.74                       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   $354.07   $366.25   $383.36   $380.68   $367.91
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $347.38   $359.56   $376.67   $373.99   $361.22
 Choice 1              3.35   $344.80   $356.98   $374.09   $371.41   $358.64
 Select 1             -4.80   $336.65   $348.83   $365.94   $363.26   $350.49
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.81   $310.64   $322.82   $339.93   $337.25   $324.48
 Prime 4              -1.50   $339.95   $352.13   $369.24   $366.56   $353.79
 Choice 4            -12.82   $328.63   $340.81   $357.92   $355.24   $342.47
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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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