USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 12/18 15:36

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Dec 18, 2025     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $347.59             $332.69
 Change =>                       2.04                0.22
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 89,222 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  43,323 Hd
Equivalent:                   $349.89             $333.40
DEMAND (Box)   45,899 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $345.28             $331.97
Live-Box Spread:               $4.61               $1.43
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $357.28
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $343.97
  Live Steer:          1535   $229.72    27,302: Current Lds:            88.6
  Live Heifer:         1390   $229.83    14,311: Previous Lds:          170.4
  Drsd Steer:           985   $355.59     1,195
  Drsd Heifer:          878   $355.23       515
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.83
 Ch 600-900# :                 87.03%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.46%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.18%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.47%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.85%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 12.97%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.39%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.59%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 347.59                       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            16.91   $335.21   $347.39   $364.50   $361.82   $349.05
 Certified 1-3         5.74   $324.04   $336.22   $353.33   $350.65   $337.88
 Choice 1              3.35   $321.65   $333.83   $350.94   $348.26   $335.49
 Select 1            -12.65   $305.65   $317.83   $334.94   $332.26   $319.49
 Stndrd 1-3          -35.06   $283.24   $295.42   $312.53   $309.85   $297.08
 Prime 4               2.79   $321.09   $333.27   $350.38   $347.70   $334.93
 Choice 4            -12.82   $305.48   $317.66   $334.77   $332.09   $319.32
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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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