USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/18 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Mar 18, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $372.11             $363.60
 Change =>                      -0.67               -0.17
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 58,560 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  28,858 Hd
Equivalent:                   $354.46             $343.03
DEMAND (Box)   29,702 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $389.75             $384.17
Live-Box Spread:             ($35.29)            ($41.14)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $401.75
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $396.17
  Live Steer:          1586   $235.07    14,748: Current Lds:            66.2
  Live Heifer:         1405   $234.96     7,160: Previous Lds:          106.6
  Drsd Steer:          1034   $372.20     6,289
  Drsd Heifer:          909   $372.00       661
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.21
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.59%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.49%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.00%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.28%
 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 = 372.11                       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   $355.73   $367.91   $385.02   $382.34   $369.57
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $348.75   $360.93   $378.04   $375.36   $362.59
 Choice 1              3.35   $346.17   $358.35   $375.46   $372.78   $360.01
 Select 1             -7.56   $335.26   $347.44   $364.55   $361.87   $349.10
 Stndrd 1-3          -32.41   $310.41   $322.59   $339.70   $337.02   $324.25
 Prime 4              -1.21   $341.61   $353.79   $370.90   $368.22   $355.45
 Choice 4            -12.82   $330.00   $342.18   $359.29   $356.61   $343.84
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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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