USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 05/04 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Mon, May 04, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $381.13             $376.97
 Change =>                       1.49                2.13
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 103,617 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  66,667 Hd
Equivalent:                   $382.70             $375.34
DEMAND (Box)   36,950 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $379.56             $378.60
Live-Box Spread:               $3.14              ($3.26)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $391.56
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $390.60
  Live Steer:          1561   $254.89    37,805: Current Lds:           104.2
  Live Heifer:         1404   $254.66    15,666: Previous Lds:           57.0
  Drsd Steer:          1016   $399.21     9,449
  Drsd Heifer:          913   $398.94     3,747
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.09
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.65%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.22%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.03%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.25%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.63%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.35%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.48%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.86%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 381.13                       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            13.34   $365.18   $377.36   $394.47   $391.79   $379.02
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $357.39   $369.57   $386.68   $384.00   $371.23
 Choice 1              3.35   $355.19   $367.37   $384.48   $381.80   $369.03
 Select 1             -3.47   $348.37   $360.55   $377.66   $374.98   $362.21
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.84   $321.00   $333.18   $350.29   $347.61   $334.84
 Prime 4              -0.78   $351.06   $363.24   $380.35   $377.67   $364.90
 Choice 4            -12.82   $339.02   $351.20   $368.31   $365.63   $352.86
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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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