USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 09/18 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Sep 18, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $345.54             $325.86
 Change =>                      -0.32                0.47
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 129,962 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  92,094 Hd
Equivalent:                   $331.14             $310.45
DEMAND (Box)   37,868 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $359.94             $341.26
Live-Box Spread:             ($28.80)            ($30.81)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $371.94
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $353.26
  Live Steer:          1561   $223.01    38,778: Current Lds:            86.1
  Live Heifer:         1402   $223.53    13,609: Previous Lds:          101.0
  Drsd Steer:          1020   $350.38    33,497
  Drsd Heifer:          902   $350.27     6,210
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       15.01
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.66%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.83%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.03%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.67%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.63%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.34%:         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 = 345.54                       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            15.12   $331.37   $343.55   $360.66   $357.98   $345.21
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $322.18   $334.36   $351.47   $348.79   $336.02
 Choice 1              3.35   $319.60   $331.78   $348.89   $346.21   $333.44
 Select 1            -16.86   $299.39   $311.57   $328.68   $326.00   $313.23
 Stndrd 1-3          -37.02   $279.23   $291.41   $308.52   $305.84   $293.07
 Prime 4               1.00   $317.25   $329.43   $346.54   $343.86   $331.09
 Choice 4            -12.82   $303.43   $315.61   $332.72   $330.04   $317.27
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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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