USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 12/31 15:26

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Dec 31, 2025     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $342.41             $332.29
 Change =>                      -0.36               -0.38
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 93,329 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  39,325 Hd
Equivalent:                   $349.36             $334.19
DEMAND (Box)   54,004 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $335.45             $330.38
Live-Box Spread:              $13.91               $3.81
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $347.45
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $342.38
  Live Steer:          1578   $229.30    20,222: Current Lds:           210.7
  Live Heifer:         1395   $229.34    11,959: Previous Lds:          208.8
  Drsd Steer:          1023   $356.69     6,173
  Drsd Heifer:          867   $357.51       971
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.69
 Ch 600-900# :                 87.03%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.33%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.18%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.27%
 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 = 342.41                       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            16.26   $329.38   $341.56   $358.67   $355.99   $343.22
 Certified 1-3         5.61   $318.73   $330.91   $348.02   $345.34   $332.57
 Choice 1              3.35   $316.47   $328.65   $345.76   $343.08   $330.31
 Select 1            -11.32   $301.80   $313.98   $331.09   $328.41   $315.64
 Stndrd 1-3          -34.13   $278.99   $291.17   $308.28   $305.60   $292.83
 Prime 4               2.14   $315.26   $327.44   $344.55   $341.87   $329.10
 Choice 4            -12.82   $300.30   $312.48   $329.59   $326.91   $314.14
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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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