USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture - September 18, 2025
NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA Thu, Sep 18, 2025 USDA Market News
USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE
CHOICE SELECT
Index 600-900# 600-900#
Values => $368.97 $344.95
Change => -0.97 -2.32
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 76,466 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live) 28,766 Hd
Equivalent: $364.13 $340.59
DEMAND (Box) 47,700 Hd*
Equivalent: $373.81 $349.31
Live-Box Spread: ($9.68) ($8.72)
---------------------------- Input Breakdown -----------------------------
National Daily Direct Cattle : Boxed Beef Cutouts
(5 day accumulated wghtd avg) : Ch 600-900# $385.81
Weight Price Head : Se 600-900# $361.31
Live Steer: 1510 $239.46 18,017: Current Lds: 99.0
Live Heifer: 1357 $239.73 7,634: Previous Lds: 141.9
Drsd Steer: 969 $376.93 2,760
Drsd Heifer: 891 $375.22 355
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grading % Breakdown : Drop Credit : 11.60
Ch 600-900# : 86.68%: Steer Dressing % : 63.50%
Ch 600-750# : 35.04%: Heifer Dressing %: 63.41%
Ch 750-900# : 51.64%: Processing Cost : 12.00
Se 600-900# : 13.32%: Slaughter Cost : 50.50
Se 600-750# : 3.48%:
Se 750-900# : 9.84%:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
Basis Value = 368.97 Carcass Weights
400-500#500-600# 600-900# 900-1000# 1000#/up
Qlty/Yield (1) -29.29 -17.11 -2.68 -15.45
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prime 1-3 17.12 $356.80 $368.98 $386.09 $383.41 $370.64
Certified 1-3 5.93 $345.61 $357.79 $374.90 $372.22 $359.45
Choice 1 3.35 $343.03 $355.21 $372.32 $369.64 $356.87
Select 1 -19.73 $319.95 $332.13 $349.24 $346.56 $333.79
Stndrd 1-3 -37.91 $301.77 $313.95 $331.06 $328.38 $315.61
Prime 4 3.00 $342.68 $354.86 $371.97 $369.29 $356.52
Choice 4 -12.82 $326.86 $339.04 $356.15 $353.47 $340.70
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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
