USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 12/16 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Tue, Dec 16, 2025     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $346.93             $333.80
 Change =>                      -0.32                0.88
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 130,684 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  81,493 Hd
Equivalent:                   $346.98             $330.49
DEMAND (Box)   49,191 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $346.88             $337.10
Live-Box Spread:               $0.10              ($6.61)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $358.88
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $349.10
  Live Steer:          1556   $228.17    48,446: Current Lds:           119.4
  Live Heifer:         1395   $228.27    25,353: Previous Lds:          113.6
  Drsd Steer:          1018   $354.02     6,403
  Drsd Heifer:          889   $353.90     1,291
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.82
 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 = 346.93                       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   $334.55   $346.73   $363.84   $361.16   $348.39
 Certified 1-3         5.74   $323.38   $335.56   $352.67   $349.99   $337.22
 Choice 1              3.35   $320.99   $333.17   $350.28   $347.60   $334.83
 Select 1            -12.65   $304.99   $317.17   $334.28   $331.60   $318.83
 Stndrd 1-3          -35.06   $282.58   $294.76   $311.87   $309.19   $296.42
 Prime 4               2.79   $320.43   $332.61   $349.72   $347.04   $334.27
 Choice 4            -12.82   $304.82   $317.00   $334.11   $331.43   $318.66
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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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