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

USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 08/31 15:31

By 
NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Mon, Aug 31, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $345.22             $326.34
 Change =>                      -1.08               -2.36
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 105,485 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  60,872 Hd
Equivalent:                   $326.62             $306.18
DEMAND (Box)   44,613 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $363.82             $346.49
Live-Box Spread:             ($37.20)            ($40.31)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $375.82
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $358.49
  Live Steer:          1539   $219.87    28,447: Current Lds:           161.9
  Live Heifer:         1365   $220.45     8,594: Previous Lds:          108.5
  Drsd Steer:          1010   $345.50    20,708
  Drsd Heifer:          892   $345.15     3,123
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       14.93
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.70%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.89%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.05%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.82%
 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 = 345.22                       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            14.26   $330.19   $342.37   $359.48   $356.80   $344.03
 Certified 1-3         5.68   $321.61   $333.79   $350.90   $348.22   $335.45
 Choice 1              3.35   $319.28   $331.46   $348.57   $345.89   $333.12
 Select 1            -16.61   $299.32   $311.50   $328.61   $325.93   $313.16
 Stndrd 1-3          -37.45   $278.48   $290.66   $307.77   $305.09   $292.32
 Prime 4               0.14   $316.07   $328.25   $345.36   $342.68   $329.91
 Choice 4            -12.82   $303.11   $315.29   $332.40   $329.72   $316.95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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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