USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/04 15:26

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Mar 04, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $371.33             $362.28
 Change =>                       0.23                0.86
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 72,657 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  41,623 Hd
Equivalent:                   $366.09             $356.21
DEMAND (Box)   31,034 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $376.57             $368.35
Live-Box Spread:             ($10.48)            ($12.14)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $388.57
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $380.35
  Live Steer:          1573   $242.69    19,425: Current Lds:            92.4
  Live Heifer:         1415   $242.86    11,851: Previous Lds:           90.2
  Drsd Steer:          1018   $382.63     8,877
  Drsd Heifer:          919   $382.69     1,470
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.22
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.61%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.52%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.01%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.30%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.60%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.39%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.50%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.89%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 371.33                       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            13.26   $355.30   $367.48   $384.59   $381.91   $369.14
 Certified 1-3         5.80   $347.84   $360.02   $377.13   $374.45   $361.68
 Choice 1              3.35   $345.39   $357.57   $374.68   $372.00   $359.23
 Select 1             -6.01   $336.03   $348.21   $365.32   $362.64   $349.87
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.77   $310.27   $322.45   $339.56   $336.88   $324.11
 Prime 4              -0.86   $341.18   $353.36   $370.47   $367.79   $355.02
 Choice 4            -12.82   $329.22   $341.40   $358.51   $355.83   $343.06
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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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