USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 07/28 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Tue, Jul 28, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $349.61             $330.06
 Change =>                       1.33               -0.98
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 79,950 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  37,204 Hd
Equivalent:                   $345.36             $328.60
DEMAND (Box)   42,746 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $353.86             $331.52
Live-Box Spread:              ($8.50)             ($2.92)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $365.86
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $343.52
  Live Steer:          1531   $230.63    15,616: Current Lds:           111.9
  Live Heifer:         1395   $230.37     6,647: Previous Lds:           86.0
  Drsd Steer:          1003   $364.59    13,074
  Drsd Heifer:          882   $363.40     1,867
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.24
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.71%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.78%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.59%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.66%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.29%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.47%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.82%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 349.61                       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            12.62   $332.94   $345.12   $362.23   $359.55   $346.78
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $325.87   $338.05   $355.16   $352.48   $339.71
 Choice 1              3.35   $323.67   $335.85   $352.96   $350.28   $337.51
 Select 1            -12.92   $307.40   $319.58   $336.69   $334.01   $321.24
 Stndrd 1-3          -34.27   $286.05   $298.23   $315.34   $312.66   $299.89
 Prime 4              -1.50   $318.82   $331.00   $348.11   $345.43   $332.66
 Choice 4            -12.82   $307.50   $319.68   $336.79   $334.11   $321.34
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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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