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USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 08/27 15:31
08/27/2026 | 3:31 pm CDT

USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 08/27 15:31

By 
NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Aug 27, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $349.44             $328.33
 Change =>                      -3.11               -2.81
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 110,773 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  73,693 Hd
Equivalent:                   $329.53             $309.47
DEMAND (Box)   37,080 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $369.36             $347.19
Live-Box Spread:             ($39.83)            ($37.72)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $381.36
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $359.19
  Live Steer:          1539   $222.29    33,898: Current Lds:           104.4
  Live Heifer:         1379   $223.63    11,849: Previous Lds:          119.1
  Drsd Steer:          1010   $346.66    23,383
  Drsd Heifer:          893   $347.78     4,563
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.93
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.93%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.89%
 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%:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 349.44                       Carcass Weights
                             400-500#500-600#  600-900#  900-1000#  1000#/up
 Qlty/Yield      (1)           -29.29    -17.11               -2.68    -15.45
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Prime 1-3            14.41   $334.56   $346.74   $363.85   $361.17   $348.40
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $325.70   $337.88   $354.99   $352.31   $339.54
 Choice 1              3.35   $323.50   $335.68   $352.79   $350.11   $337.34
 Select 1            -16.23   $303.92   $316.10   $333.21   $330.53   $317.76
 Stndrd 1-3          -37.34   $282.81   $294.99   $312.10   $309.42   $296.65
 Prime 4               0.29   $320.44   $332.62   $349.73   $347.05   $334.28
 Choice 4            -12.82   $307.33   $319.51   $336.62   $333.94   $321.17
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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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