USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 08/28 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Aug 28, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $346.30             $328.70
 Change =>                      -3.14                0.37
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 103,966 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  65,561 Hd
Equivalent:                   $328.37             $308.32
DEMAND (Box)   38,405 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $364.23             $349.08
Live-Box Spread:             ($35.86)            ($40.76)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $376.23
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $361.08
  Live Steer:          1537   $221.64    29,602: Current Lds:           108.5
  Live Heifer:         1375   $222.96    10,748: Previous Lds:          104.4
  Drsd Steer:          1010   $345.80    21,468
  Drsd Heifer:          894   $346.02     3,743
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.93
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.97%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.94%
 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 = 346.30                       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   $331.42   $343.60   $360.71   $358.03   $345.26
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $322.56   $334.74   $351.85   $349.17   $336.40
 Choice 1              3.35   $320.36   $332.54   $349.65   $346.97   $334.20
 Select 1            -16.23   $300.78   $312.96   $330.07   $327.39   $314.62
 Stndrd 1-3          -37.34   $279.67   $291.85   $308.96   $306.28   $293.51
 Prime 4               0.29   $317.30   $329.48   $346.59   $343.91   $331.14
 Choice 4            -12.82   $304.19   $316.37   $333.48   $330.80   $318.03
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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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