USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 05/26 22:21

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Tue, May 26, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $385.67             $380.42
 Change =>                       1.21                2.64
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 73,571 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  39,476 Hd
Equivalent:                   $390.43             $382.55
DEMAND (Box)   34,095 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $380.90             $378.30
Live-Box Spread:               $9.53               $4.25
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $392.90
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $390.30
  Live Steer:          1553   $260.44    18,306: Current Lds:            67.0
  Live Heifer:         1366   $260.44     8,235: Previous Lds:           74.8
  Drsd Steer:           993   $410.25    10,463
  Drsd Heifer:          890   $409.50     2,472
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.65
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.80%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.71%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.09%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.60%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.71%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.20%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.45%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.75%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 385.67                       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            13.12   $369.50   $381.68   $398.79   $396.11   $383.34
 Certified 1-3         5.68   $362.06   $374.24   $391.35   $388.67   $375.90
 Choice 1              3.35   $359.73   $371.91   $389.02   $386.34   $373.57
 Select 1             -4.00   $352.38   $364.56   $381.67   $378.99   $366.22
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.59   $325.79   $337.97   $355.08   $352.40   $339.63
 Prime 4              -1.00   $355.38   $367.56   $384.67   $381.99   $369.22
 Choice 4            -12.82   $343.56   $355.74   $372.85   $370.17   $357.40
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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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