USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 08/26 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Aug 26, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $352.55             $331.14
 Change =>                      -3.52               -5.12
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 135,478 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  97,988 Hd
Equivalent:                   $331.96             $311.90
DEMAND (Box)   37,490 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $373.13             $350.38
Live-Box Spread:             ($41.17)            ($38.48)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $385.13
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $362.38
  Live Steer:          1544   $223.62    41,615: Current Lds:           119.1
  Live Heifer:         1373   $224.16    14,301: Previous Lds:          101.0
  Drsd Steer:          1009   $350.02    34,608
  Drsd Heifer:          890   $350.92     7,464
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.94
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.88%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.86%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.66%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.30%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.47%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.83%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 352.55                       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            14.41   $337.67   $349.85   $366.96   $364.28   $351.51
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $328.81   $340.99   $358.10   $355.42   $342.65
 Choice 1              3.35   $326.61   $338.79   $355.90   $353.22   $340.45
 Select 1            -16.23   $307.03   $319.21   $336.32   $333.64   $320.87
 Stndrd 1-3          -37.34   $285.92   $298.10   $315.21   $312.53   $299.76
 Prime 4               0.29   $323.55   $335.73   $352.84   $350.16   $337.39
 Choice 4            -12.82   $310.44   $322.62   $339.73   $337.05   $324.28
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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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