USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/20 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Mar 20, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $371.39             $362.09
 Change =>                      -0.03                0.31
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 37,139 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  6,791 Hd
Equivalent:                   $354.67             $343.25
DEMAND (Box)   30,348 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $388.11             $380.94
Live-Box Spread:             ($33.44)            ($37.69)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $400.11
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $392.94
  Live Steer:          1576   $235.91     3,641: Current Lds:            84.4
  Live Heifer:         1392   $235.59     2,036: Previous Lds:           91.4
  Drsd Steer:          1012   $370.43     1,017
  Drsd Heifer:          934   $370.10        97
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.25
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.59%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.57%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.00%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.39%
 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 = 371.39                       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   $355.01   $367.19   $384.30   $381.62   $368.85
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $348.03   $360.21   $377.32   $374.64   $361.87
 Choice 1              3.35   $345.45   $357.63   $374.74   $372.06   $359.29
 Select 1             -7.56   $334.54   $346.72   $363.83   $361.15   $348.38
 Stndrd 1-3          -32.41   $309.69   $321.87   $338.98   $336.30   $323.53
 Prime 4              -1.21   $340.89   $353.07   $370.18   $367.50   $354.73
 Choice 4            -12.82   $329.28   $341.46   $358.57   $355.89   $343.12
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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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