USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/12 15:41

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Mar 12, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $373.07             $364.39
 Change =>                       0.09                0.72
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 119,143 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  88,658 Hd
Equivalent:                   $359.81             $348.65
DEMAND (Box)   30,485 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $386.34             $380.14
Live-Box Spread:             ($26.53)            ($31.49)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $398.34
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $392.14
  Live Steer:          1590   $238.70    43,012: Current Lds:           113.4
  Live Heifer:         1406   $238.60    18,948: Previous Lds:           86.6
  Drsd Steer:          1025   $376.42    21,398
  Drsd Heifer:          911   $378.05     5,300
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.21
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.61%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.49%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.01%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.39%
 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 = 373.07                       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   $357.04   $369.22   $386.33   $383.65   $370.88
 Certified 1-3         6.05   $349.83   $362.01   $379.12   $376.44   $363.67
 Choice 1              3.35   $347.13   $359.31   $376.42   $373.74   $360.97
 Select 1             -7.29   $336.49   $348.67   $365.78   $363.10   $350.33
 Stndrd 1-3          -32.20   $311.58   $323.76   $340.87   $338.19   $325.42
 Prime 4              -0.86   $342.92   $355.10   $372.21   $369.53   $356.76
 Choice 4            -12.82   $330.96   $343.14   $360.25   $357.57   $344.80
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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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