USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/26 15:26

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Mar 26, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $367.66             $362.89
 Change =>                      -0.96               -1.96
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 76,931 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  42,006 Hd
Equivalent:                   $357.46             $346.12
DEMAND (Box)   34,925 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $377.85             $379.66
Live-Box Spread:             ($20.39)            ($33.54)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $389.85
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $391.66
  Live Steer:          1580   $235.33    17,734: Current Lds:            93.2
  Live Heifer:         1430   $235.16    12,099: Previous Lds:          123.0
  Drsd Steer:          1023   $372.06     9,982
  Drsd Heifer:          906   $371.87     2,191
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.34
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.10%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      62.66%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.65%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.30%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.47%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.83%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 367.66                       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            12.76   $351.13   $363.31   $380.42   $377.74   $364.97
 Certified 1-3         6.18   $344.55   $356.73   $373.84   $371.16   $358.39
 Choice 1              3.35   $341.72   $353.90   $371.01   $368.33   $355.56
 Select 1             -7.47   $330.90   $343.08   $360.19   $357.51   $344.74
 Stndrd 1-3          -32.20   $306.17   $318.35   $335.46   $332.78   $320.01
 Prime 4              -1.36   $337.01   $349.19   $366.30   $363.62   $350.85
 Choice 4            -12.82   $325.55   $337.73   $354.84   $352.16   $339.39
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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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