USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 12/15 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Mon, Dec 15, 2025     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $347.25             $332.92
 Change =>                       2.92                3.65
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 132,137 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  81,390 Hd
Equivalent:                   $347.04             $330.55
DEMAND (Box)   50,747 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $347.46             $335.30
Live-Box Spread:              ($0.42)             ($4.75)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $359.46
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $347.30
  Live Steer:          1556   $228.13    48,343: Current Lds:           113.6
  Live Heifer:         1395   $228.27    25,353: Previous Lds:          120.0
  Drsd Steer:          1018   $354.02     6,403
  Drsd Heifer:          889   $353.90     1,291
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.76
 Ch 600-900# :                 87.03%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.50%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.18%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.47%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.85%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 12.97%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.39%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.59%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 347.25                       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            16.91   $334.87   $347.05   $364.16   $361.48   $348.71
 Certified 1-3         5.74   $323.70   $335.88   $352.99   $350.31   $337.54
 Choice 1              3.35   $321.31   $333.49   $350.60   $347.92   $335.15
 Select 1            -12.65   $305.31   $317.49   $334.60   $331.92   $319.15
 Stndrd 1-3          -35.06   $282.90   $295.08   $312.19   $309.51   $296.74
 Prime 4               2.79   $320.75   $332.93   $350.04   $347.36   $334.59
 Choice 4            -12.82   $305.14   $317.32   $334.43   $331.75   $318.98
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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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