USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 05/15 20:41

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, May 15, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $385.30             $381.53
 Change =>                       2.77                1.99
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 105,779 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  66,945 Hd
Equivalent:                   $393.36             $385.82
DEMAND (Box)   38,834 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $377.25             $377.25
Live-Box Spread:              $16.11               $8.57
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $389.25
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $389.25
  Live Steer:          1557   $262.67    35,929: Current Lds:           102.9
  Live Heifer:         1384   $262.82    12,992: Previous Lds:           99.0
  Drsd Steer:          1008   $409.96    14,423
  Drsd Heifer:          895   $412.59     3,601
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.69
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.80%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.60%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.09%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.53%
 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%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 385.30                       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   $369.20   $381.38   $398.49   $395.81   $383.04
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $361.56   $373.74   $390.85   $388.17   $375.40
 Choice 1              3.35   $359.36   $371.54   $388.65   $385.97   $373.20
 Select 1             -3.65   $352.36   $364.54   $381.65   $378.97   $366.20
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.84   $325.17   $337.35   $354.46   $351.78   $339.01
 Prime 4              -0.93   $355.08   $367.26   $384.37   $381.69   $368.92
 Choice 4            -12.82   $343.19   $355.37   $372.48   $369.80   $357.03
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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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