USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 05/22 17:41

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, May 22, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $384.46             $377.78
 Change =>                      -3.02               -2.75
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 68,597 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  33,259 Hd
Equivalent:                   $390.64             $382.56
DEMAND (Box)   35,338 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $378.27             $373.00
Live-Box Spread:              $12.37               $9.56
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $390.27
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $385.00
  Live Steer:          1541   $261.30    16,569: Current Lds:            74.8
  Live Heifer:         1374   $261.45     7,170: Previous Lds:          108.8
  Drsd Steer:          1002   $411.25     7,802
  Drsd Heifer:          915   $409.92     1,718
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.74
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.74%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.80%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.06%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.74%
 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 = 384.46                       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   $368.36   $380.54   $397.65   $394.97   $382.20
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $360.72   $372.90   $390.01   $387.33   $374.56
 Choice 1              3.35   $358.52   $370.70   $387.81   $385.13   $372.36
 Select 1             -4.20   $350.97   $363.15   $380.26   $377.58   $364.81
 Stndrd 1-3          -30.74   $324.43   $336.61   $353.72   $351.04   $338.27
 Prime 4              -0.93   $354.24   $366.42   $383.53   $380.85   $368.08
 Choice 4            -12.82   $342.35   $354.53   $371.64   $368.96   $356.19
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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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