USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 01/29 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Jan 29, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $356.26             $348.20
 Change =>                      -1.03               -1.42
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 96,465 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  58,818 Hd
Equivalent:                   $356.85             $347.68
DEMAND (Box)   37,647 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $355.66             $348.72
Live-Box Spread:               $1.19              ($1.04)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $367.66
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $360.72
  Live Steer:          1579   $234.81    32,651: Current Lds:            94.2
  Live Heifer:         1408   $234.57    13,645: Previous Lds:           85.9
  Drsd Steer:          1000   $368.77     9,873
  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 = 356.26                       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   $341.59   $353.77   $370.88   $368.20   $355.43
 Certified 1-3         5.55   $332.52   $344.70   $361.81   $359.13   $346.36
 Choice 1              3.35   $330.32   $342.50   $359.61   $356.93   $344.16
 Select 1             -5.29   $321.68   $333.86   $350.97   $348.29   $335.52
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.27   $295.70   $307.88   $324.99   $322.31   $309.54
 Prime 4               0.50   $327.47   $339.65   $356.76   $354.08   $341.31
 Choice 4            -12.82   $314.15   $326.33   $343.44   $340.76   $327.99
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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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