USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 02/19 16:01

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Thu, Feb 19, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $362.41             $355.04
 Change =>                       0.69               -0.42
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 83,674 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  50,888 Hd
Equivalent:                   $371.65             $362.30
DEMAND (Box)   32,786 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $353.17             $347.79
Live-Box Spread:              $18.48              $14.51
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $365.17
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $359.79
  Live Steer:          1589   $245.25    28,326: Current Lds:            97.4
  Live Heifer:         1403   $245.72    13,428: Previous Lds:          110.6
  Drsd Steer:          1014   $381.16     6,950
  Drsd Heifer:          917   $380.96     2,184
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.92
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.83%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.42%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.10%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.36%
 Ch 750-900# :                 51.73%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 13.17%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  3.44%:
 Se 750-900# :                  9.73%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 362.41                       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            13.26   $346.38   $358.56   $375.67   $372.99   $360.22
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $339.05   $351.23   $368.34   $365.66   $352.89
 Choice 1              3.35   $336.47   $348.65   $365.76   $363.08   $350.31
 Select 1             -5.47   $327.65   $339.83   $356.94   $354.26   $341.49
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.49   $301.63   $313.81   $330.92   $328.24   $315.47
 Prime 4              -0.86   $332.26   $344.44   $361.55   $358.87   $346.10
 Choice 4            -12.82   $320.30   $332.48   $349.59   $346.91   $334.14
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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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