USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 12/24 15:11

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Dec 24, 2025     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $345.02             $332.88
 Change =>                      -0.71               -2.05
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 77,481 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  39,196 Hd
Equivalent:                   $347.42             $332.01
DEMAND (Box)   38,285 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $342.62             $333.75
Live-Box Spread:               $4.80              ($1.74)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $354.62
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $345.75
  Live Steer:          1579   $228.24    16,196: Current Lds:           117.8
  Live Heifer:         1392   $228.19     9,171: Previous Lds:          138.2
  Drsd Steer:           993   $356.91    11,163
  Drsd Heifer:          870   $357.20     2,666
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.77
 Ch 600-900# :                 87.03%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.32%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.18%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.14%
 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 = 345.02                       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            16.55   $332.28   $344.46   $361.57   $358.89   $346.12
 Certified 1-3         5.74   $321.47   $333.65   $350.76   $348.08   $335.31
 Choice 1              3.35   $319.08   $331.26   $348.37   $345.69   $332.92
 Select 1            -11.57   $304.16   $316.34   $333.45   $330.77   $318.00
 Stndrd 1-3          -34.27   $281.46   $293.64   $310.75   $308.07   $295.30
 Prime 4               2.43   $318.16   $330.34   $347.45   $344.77   $332.00
 Choice 4            -12.82   $302.91   $315.09   $332.20   $329.52   $316.75
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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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