USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 01/28 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Jan 28, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $357.29             $349.62
 Change =>                       0.83               -0.79
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 96,700 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  58,972 Hd
Equivalent:                   $356.84             $347.67
DEMAND (Box)   37,728 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $357.74             $351.57
Live-Box Spread:              ($0.90)             ($3.90)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $369.74
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $363.57
  Live Steer:          1579   $234.81    32,712: Current Lds:            85.9
  Live Heifer:         1409   $234.56    13,741: Previous Lds:          102.2
  Drsd Steer:          1000   $368.75     9,870
  Drsd Heifer:          891   $369.34     2,649
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.71
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.91%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.36%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.13%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.28%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.78%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.09%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.42%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.67%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 357.29                       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            14.62   $342.62   $354.80   $371.91   $369.23   $356.46
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $333.55   $345.73   $362.84   $360.16   $347.39
 Choice 1              3.35   $331.35   $343.53   $360.64   $357.96   $345.19
 Select 1             -5.29   $322.71   $334.89   $352.00   $349.32   $336.55
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.27   $296.73   $308.91   $326.02   $323.34   $310.57
 Prime 4               0.50   $328.50   $340.68   $357.79   $355.11   $342.34
 Choice 4            -12.82   $315.18   $327.36   $344.47   $341.79   $329.02
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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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