USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/02 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Apr 02, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $366.07             $360.45
 Change =>                      -2.27               -2.30
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 77,882 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  40,866 Hd
Equivalent:                   $354.55             $345.20
DEMAND (Box)   37,016 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $377.58             $375.70
Live-Box Spread:             ($23.03)            ($30.50)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $389.58
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $387.70
  Live Steer:          1590   $236.25    21,050: Current Lds:           116.6
  Live Heifer:         1444   $235.66    10,203: Previous Lds:           97.1
  Drsd Steer:          1015   $371.78     7,400
  Drsd Heifer:          895   $371.63     2,213
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.03
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.72%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.60%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.51%
 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%:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 366.07                       Carcass Weights
                             400-500#500-600#  600-900#  900-1000#  1000#/up
 Qlty/Yield      (1)           -29.29    -17.11               -2.68    -15.45
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Prime 1-3            12.62   $349.40   $361.58   $378.69   $376.01   $363.24
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $342.71   $354.89   $372.00   $369.32   $356.55
 Choice 1              3.35   $340.13   $352.31   $369.42   $366.74   $353.97
 Select 1             -5.47   $331.31   $343.49   $360.60   $357.92   $345.15
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.91   $304.87   $317.05   $334.16   $331.48   $318.71
 Prime 4              -1.50   $335.28   $347.46   $364.57   $361.89   $349.12
 Choice 4            -12.82   $323.96   $336.14   $353.25   $350.57   $337.80
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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

[0600059D]