USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 12/17 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Dec 17, 2025     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $345.55             $332.47
 Change =>                      -1.38               -1.33
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 132,540 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  81,967 Hd
Equivalent:                   $347.01             $330.52
DEMAND (Box)   50,573 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $344.09             $334.43
Live-Box Spread:               $2.92              ($3.91)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $356.09
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $346.43
  Live Steer:          1556   $228.18    48,550: Current Lds:           170.4
  Live Heifer:         1393   $228.29    25,723: Previous Lds:          119.4
  Drsd Steer:          1018   $354.02     6,403
  Drsd Heifer:          889   $353.90     1,291
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.83
 Ch 600-900# :                 87.03%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.50%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.18%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.46%
 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%:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 345.55                       Carcass Weights
                             400-500#500-600#  600-900#  900-1000#  1000#/up
 Qlty/Yield      (1)           -29.29    -17.11               -2.68    -15.45
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Prime 1-3            16.91   $333.17   $345.35   $362.46   $359.78   $347.01
 Certified 1-3         5.74   $322.00   $334.18   $351.29   $348.61   $335.84
 Choice 1              3.35   $319.61   $331.79   $348.90   $346.22   $333.45
 Select 1            -12.65   $303.61   $315.79   $332.90   $330.22   $317.45
 Stndrd 1-3          -35.06   $281.20   $293.38   $310.49   $307.81   $295.04
 Prime 4               2.79   $319.05   $331.23   $348.34   $345.66   $332.89
 Choice 4            -12.82   $303.44   $315.62   $332.73   $330.05   $317.28
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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

[0600059D]