USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 05/12 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Tue, May 12, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $383.31             $379.81
 Change =>                      -0.20               -0.06
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 119,493 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  79,562 Hd
Equivalent:                   $387.89             $380.35
DEMAND (Box)   39,931 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $378.73             $379.27
Live-Box Spread:               $9.16               $1.08
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $390.73
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $391.27
  Live Steer:          1550   $258.42    41,978: Current Lds:            96.0
  Live Heifer:         1397   $258.27    18,415: Previous Lds:          102.2
  Drsd Steer:          1018   $402.43    15,802
  Drsd Heifer:          912   $403.14     3,367
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.15
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.80%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.49%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.09%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.33%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.71%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.20%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.45%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.75%:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 383.31                       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            13.19   $367.21   $379.39   $396.50   $393.82   $381.05
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $359.57   $371.75   $388.86   $386.18   $373.41
 Choice 1              3.35   $357.37   $369.55   $386.66   $383.98   $371.21
 Select 1             -3.65   $350.37   $362.55   $379.66   $376.98   $364.21
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.84   $323.18   $335.36   $352.47   $349.79   $337.02
 Prime 4              -0.93   $353.09   $365.27   $382.38   $379.70   $366.93
 Choice 4            -12.82   $341.20   $353.38   $370.49   $367.81   $355.04
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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]