USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 05/20 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, May 20, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $388.00             $382.72
 Change =>                      -1.05               -1.20
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 97,054 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  60,345 Hd
Equivalent:                   $394.39             $386.30
DEMAND (Box)   36,709 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $381.62             $379.13
Live-Box Spread:              $12.77               $7.17
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $393.62
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $391.13
  Live Steer:          1563   $263.61    30,227: Current Lds:           122.9
  Live Heifer:         1383   $263.36    12,467: Previous Lds:           81.1
  Drsd Steer:          1010   $411.34    14,431
  Drsd Heifer:          895   $413.74     3,220
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.74
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.74%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.54%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.06%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.45%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.68%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.26%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.46%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.80%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 388.00                       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   $371.90   $384.08   $401.19   $398.51   $385.74
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $364.26   $376.44   $393.55   $390.87   $378.10
 Choice 1              3.35   $362.06   $374.24   $391.35   $388.67   $375.90
 Select 1             -4.20   $354.51   $366.69   $383.80   $381.12   $368.35
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.74   $327.97   $340.15   $357.26   $354.58   $341.81
 Prime 4              -0.93   $357.78   $369.96   $387.07   $384.39   $371.62
 Choice 4            -12.82   $345.89   $358.07   $375.18   $372.50   $359.73
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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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