USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 05/06 15:26

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, May 06, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $380.02             $376.34
 Change =>                      -1.51               -1.46
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 56,518 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  19,408 Hd
Equivalent:                   $382.41             $375.05
DEMAND (Box)   37,110 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $377.62             $377.63
Live-Box Spread:               $4.79              ($2.58)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $389.62
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $389.63
  Live Steer:          1563   $256.16    10,167: Current Lds:           106.8
  Live Heifer:         1367   $255.67     5,487: Previous Lds:          108.6
  Drsd Steer:          1023   $400.38     2,692
  Drsd Heifer:          914   $400.00     1,062
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.21
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.65%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.64%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.03%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.58%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.63%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.35%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.48%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.86%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 380.02                       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            13.34   $364.07   $376.25   $393.36   $390.68   $377.91
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $356.28   $368.46   $385.57   $382.89   $370.12
 Choice 1              3.35   $354.08   $366.26   $383.37   $380.69   $367.92
 Select 1             -3.47   $347.26   $359.44   $376.55   $373.87   $361.10
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.84   $319.89   $332.07   $349.18   $346.50   $333.73
 Prime 4              -0.78   $349.95   $362.13   $379.24   $376.56   $363.79
 Choice 4            -12.82   $337.91   $350.09   $367.20   $364.52   $351.75
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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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