USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/19 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Mar 19, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $371.42             $361.78
 Change =>                      -0.69               -1.82
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 37,972 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  9,996 Hd
Equivalent:                   $354.53             $343.10
DEMAND (Box)   27,976 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $388.30             $380.45
Live-Box Spread:             ($33.77)            ($37.35)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $400.30
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $392.45
  Live Steer:          1533   $236.07     4,966: Current Lds:            91.4
  Live Heifer:         1369   $235.04     2,122: Previous Lds:           66.2
  Drsd Steer:          1058   $372.32     2,907
  Drsd Heifer:          840   $380.00         1
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.25
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.59%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.72%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.00%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.44%
 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 = 371.42                       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   $355.04   $367.22   $384.33   $381.65   $368.88
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $348.06   $360.24   $377.35   $374.67   $361.90
 Choice 1              3.35   $345.48   $357.66   $374.77   $372.09   $359.32
 Select 1             -7.56   $334.57   $346.75   $363.86   $361.18   $348.41
 Stndrd 1-3          -32.41   $309.72   $321.90   $339.01   $336.33   $323.56
 Prime 4              -1.21   $340.92   $353.10   $370.21   $367.53   $354.76
 Choice 4            -12.82   $329.31   $341.49   $358.60   $355.92   $343.15
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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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