USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/16 15:26

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Mon, Mar 16, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $372.46             $362.67
 Change =>                      -0.19               -1.21
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 65,777 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  35,527 Hd
Equivalent:                   $354.26             $342.83
DEMAND (Box)   30,250 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $390.66             $382.51
Live-Box Spread:             ($36.40)            ($39.68)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $402.66
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $394.51
  Live Steer:          1587   $234.99    14,762: Current Lds:            56.1
  Live Heifer:         1405   $234.94     7,124: Previous Lds:           52.7
  Drsd Steer:          1031   $372.08    12,351
  Drsd Heifer:          912   $372.00     1,290
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.21
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.59%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.60%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.00%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.33%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.59%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.41%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.50%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.91%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 372.46                       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            12.91   $356.08   $368.26   $385.37   $382.69   $369.92
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $349.10   $361.28   $378.39   $375.71   $362.94
 Choice 1              3.35   $346.52   $358.70   $375.81   $373.13   $360.36
 Select 1             -7.56   $335.61   $347.79   $364.90   $362.22   $349.45
 Stndrd 1-3          -32.41   $310.76   $322.94   $340.05   $337.37   $324.60
 Prime 4              -1.21   $341.96   $354.14   $371.25   $368.57   $355.80
 Choice 4            -12.82   $330.35   $342.53   $359.64   $356.96   $344.19
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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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