USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/01 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Apr 01, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $368.34             $362.75
 Change =>                      -1.09               -0.72
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 76,406 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  41,145 Hd
Equivalent:                   $354.27             $344.92
DEMAND (Box)   35,261 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $382.42             $380.59
Live-Box Spread:             ($28.15)            ($35.67)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $394.42
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $392.59
  Live Steer:          1589   $236.20    21,077: Current Lds:            97.1
  Live Heifer:         1442   $235.62    10,257: Previous Lds:           95.6
  Drsd Steer:          1014   $371.78     7,478
  Drsd Heifer:          897   $371.54     2,333
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.16
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.72%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.60%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.52%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.66%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.28%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.47%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.82%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 368.34                       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            12.62   $351.67   $363.85   $380.96   $378.28   $365.51
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $344.98   $357.16   $374.27   $371.59   $358.82
 Choice 1              3.35   $342.40   $354.58   $371.69   $369.01   $356.24
 Select 1             -5.47   $333.58   $345.76   $362.87   $360.19   $347.42
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.91   $307.14   $319.32   $336.43   $333.75   $320.98
 Prime 4              -1.50   $337.55   $349.73   $366.84   $364.16   $351.39
 Choice 4            -12.82   $326.23   $338.41   $355.52   $352.84   $340.07
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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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