USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 04/29 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Apr 29, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $376.06             $371.39
 Change =>                       2.89                2.05
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 132,846 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  96,608 Hd
Equivalent:                   $376.07             $368.53
DEMAND (Box)   36,238 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $376.05             $374.25
Live-Box Spread:               $0.02              ($5.72)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $388.05
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $386.25
  Live Steer:          1569   $250.72    50,998: Current Lds:           115.2
  Live Heifer:         1416   $249.48    25,467: Previous Lds:           98.0
  Drsd Steer:          1015   $392.61    14,447
  Drsd Heifer:          908   $391.86     5,696
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.96
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.67%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.23%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.04%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.22%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.64%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.33%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.48%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.85%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 376.06                       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            13.19   $359.96   $372.14   $389.25   $386.57   $373.80
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $352.32   $364.50   $381.61   $378.93   $366.16
 Choice 1              3.35   $350.12   $362.30   $379.41   $376.73   $363.96
 Select 1             -3.65   $343.12   $355.30   $372.41   $369.73   $356.96
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.84   $315.93   $328.11   $345.22   $342.54   $329.77
 Prime 4              -0.93   $345.84   $358.02   $375.13   $372.45   $359.68
 Choice 4            -12.82   $333.95   $346.13   $363.24   $360.56   $347.79
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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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