USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 05/21 15:26

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, May 21, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $387.48             $380.53
 Change =>                      -0.52               -2.19
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 61,794 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  24,351 Hd
Equivalent:                   $395.49             $387.40
DEMAND (Box)   37,443 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $379.48             $373.65
Live-Box Spread:              $16.01              $13.75
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $391.48
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $385.65
  Live Steer:          1540   $264.42    11,658: Current Lds:           108.8
  Live Heifer:         1410   $264.54     4,903: Previous Lds:          122.9
  Drsd Steer:          1003   $412.74     6,964
  Drsd Heifer:          892   $415.00       826
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.74
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.74%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.61%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.06%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.43%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.68%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.26%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.46%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.80%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 387.48                       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   $371.38   $383.56   $400.67   $397.99   $385.22
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $363.74   $375.92   $393.03   $390.35   $377.58
 Choice 1              3.35   $361.54   $373.72   $390.83   $388.15   $375.38
 Select 1             -4.20   $353.99   $366.17   $383.28   $380.60   $367.83
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.74   $327.45   $339.63   $356.74   $354.06   $341.29
 Prime 4              -0.93   $357.26   $369.44   $386.55   $383.87   $371.10
 Choice 4            -12.82   $345.37   $357.55   $374.66   $371.98   $359.21
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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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