USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 12/26 15:21

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, Dec 26, 2025     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $343.57             $332.15
 Change =>                      -1.45               -0.73
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 89,766 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  52,888 Hd
Equivalent:                   $347.92             $332.50
DEMAND (Box)   36,878 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $339.21             $331.80
Live-Box Spread:               $8.71               $0.70
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $351.21
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $343.80
  Live Steer:          1588   $228.64    22,259: Current Lds:            69.8
  Live Heifer:         1400   $228.57    13,591: Previous Lds:          117.8
  Drsd Steer:          1007   $356.75    14,191
  Drsd Heifer:          871   $357.18     2,847
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.75
 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 = 343.57                       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   $330.83   $343.01   $360.12   $357.44   $344.67
 Certified 1-3         5.74   $320.02   $332.20   $349.31   $346.63   $333.86
 Choice 1              3.35   $317.63   $329.81   $346.92   $344.24   $331.47
 Select 1            -11.57   $302.71   $314.89   $332.00   $329.32   $316.55
 Stndrd 1-3          -34.27   $280.01   $292.19   $309.30   $306.62   $293.85
 Prime 4               2.43   $316.71   $328.89   $346.00   $343.32   $330.55
 Choice 4            -12.82   $301.46   $313.64   $330.75   $328.07   $315.30
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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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