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USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/23 15:31

USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/23 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Apr 23, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $371.06             $366.52
 Change =>                      -0.57               -0.59
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 127,858 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  91,155 Hd
Equivalent:                   $370.63             $362.45
DEMAND (Box)   36,703 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $371.50             $370.58
Live-Box Spread:              ($0.87)             ($8.13)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $383.50
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $382.58
  Live Steer:          1579   $247.69    39,993: Current Lds:           104.7
  Live Heifer:         1419   $247.63    24,782: Previous Lds:          117.4
  Drsd Steer:          1031   $387.73    19,034
  Drsd Heifer:          904   $387.40     7,346
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.72
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.63%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.04%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.55%
 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 = 371.06                       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            12.98   $354.75   $366.93   $384.04   $381.36   $368.59
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $347.32   $359.50   $376.61   $373.93   $361.16
 Choice 1              3.35   $345.12   $357.30   $374.41   $371.73   $358.96
 Select 1             -4.29   $337.48   $349.66   $366.77   $364.09   $351.32
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.99   $310.78   $322.96   $340.07   $337.39   $324.62
 Prime 4              -1.14   $340.63   $352.81   $369.92   $367.24   $354.47
 Choice 4            -12.82   $328.95   $341.13   $358.24   $355.56   $342.79
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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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