USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 12/19 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Dec 19, 2025     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $348.96             $332.90
 Change =>                       1.37                0.21
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 71,807 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  27,549 Hd
Equivalent:                   $348.28             $331.79
DEMAND (Box)   44,258 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $349.63             $334.02
Live-Box Spread:              ($1.35)             ($2.23)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $361.63
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $346.02
  Live Steer:          1585   $228.53    11,774: Current Lds:            98.1
  Live Heifer:         1408   $228.23     6,358: Previous Lds:           88.6
  Drsd Steer:           999   $357.02     7,541
  Drsd Heifer:          873   $357.01     1,876
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.83
 Ch 600-900# :                 87.03%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.17%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.18%:         Heifer Dressing %:      62.91%
 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 = 348.96                       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   $336.58   $348.76   $365.87   $363.19   $350.42
 Certified 1-3         5.74   $325.41   $337.59   $354.70   $352.02   $339.25
 Choice 1              3.35   $323.02   $335.20   $352.31   $349.63   $336.86
 Select 1            -12.65   $307.02   $319.20   $336.31   $333.63   $320.86
 Stndrd 1-3          -35.06   $284.61   $296.79   $313.90   $311.22   $298.45
 Prime 4               2.79   $322.46   $334.64   $351.75   $349.07   $336.30
 Choice 4            -12.82   $306.85   $319.03   $336.14   $333.46   $320.69
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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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