USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 03/27 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Mar 27, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $368.73             $361.51
 Change =>                       1.07               -1.38
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 103,885 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  67,268 Hd
Equivalent:                   $356.49             $345.15
DEMAND (Box)   36,617 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $380.97             $377.87
Live-Box Spread:             ($24.48)            ($32.72)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $392.97
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $389.87
  Live Steer:          1599   $235.23    29,269: Current Lds:           106.9
  Live Heifer:         1443   $235.03    18,193: Previous Lds:           93.2
  Drsd Steer:          1019   $371.99    15,663
  Drsd Heifer:          900   $371.81     4,143
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       12.34
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.24%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      62.92%
 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 = 368.73                       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   $352.20   $364.38   $381.49   $378.81   $366.04
 Certified 1-3         6.18   $345.62   $357.80   $374.91   $372.23   $359.46
 Choice 1              3.35   $342.79   $354.97   $372.08   $369.40   $356.63
 Select 1             -7.47   $331.97   $344.15   $361.26   $358.58   $345.81
 Stndrd 1-3          -32.20   $307.24   $319.42   $336.53   $333.85   $321.08
 Prime 4              -1.36   $338.08   $350.26   $367.37   $364.69   $351.92
 Choice 4            -12.82   $326.62   $338.80   $355.91   $353.23   $340.46
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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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