USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/30 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Apr 30, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $378.12             $373.68
 Change =>                       2.06                2.29
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 129,853 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  92,598 Hd
Equivalent:                   $378.73             $371.19
DEMAND (Box)   37,255 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $377.52             $376.17
Live-Box Spread:               $1.21              ($4.98)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $389.52
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $388.17
  Live Steer:          1568   $252.20    50,993: Current Lds:           118.3
  Live Heifer:         1405   $251.22    24,761: Previous Lds:          115.2
  Drsd Steer:          1013   $395.32    12,548
  Drsd Heifer:          912   $396.36     4,296
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.96
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.67%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.24%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.04%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.23%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.64%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.33%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.48%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.85%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 378.12                       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            13.19   $362.02   $374.20   $391.31   $388.63   $375.86
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $354.38   $366.56   $383.67   $380.99   $368.22
 Choice 1              3.35   $352.18   $364.36   $381.47   $378.79   $366.02
 Select 1             -3.65   $345.18   $357.36   $374.47   $371.79   $359.02
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.84   $317.99   $330.17   $347.28   $344.60   $331.83
 Prime 4              -0.93   $347.90   $360.08   $377.19   $374.51   $361.74
 Choice 4            -12.82   $336.01   $348.19   $365.30   $362.62   $349.85
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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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