USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/20 15:26

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Mon, Apr 20, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $371.36             $367.30
 Change =>                       1.48                3.99
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 109,510 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  74,927 Hd
Equivalent:                   $371.17             $362.99
DEMAND (Box)   34,583 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $371.56             $371.61
Live-Box Spread:              ($0.39)             ($8.62)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $383.56
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $383.61
  Live Steer:          1574   $248.06    33,436: Current Lds:            64.7
  Live Heifer:         1415   $248.09    20,207: Previous Lds:           91.9
  Drsd Steer:          1030   $388.19    15,690
  Drsd Heifer:          898   $387.99     5,594
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.68
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.66%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.04%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.58%
 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 = 371.36                       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            12.98   $355.05   $367.23   $384.34   $381.66   $368.89
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $347.62   $359.80   $376.91   $374.23   $361.46
 Choice 1              3.35   $345.42   $357.60   $374.71   $372.03   $359.26
 Select 1             -4.29   $337.78   $349.96   $367.07   $364.39   $351.62
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.99   $311.08   $323.26   $340.37   $337.69   $324.92
 Prime 4              -1.14   $340.93   $353.11   $370.22   $367.54   $354.77
 Choice 4            -12.82   $329.25   $341.43   $358.54   $355.86   $343.09
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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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