USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 02/16 15:26

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Mon, Feb 16, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $363.71             $355.76
 Change =>                       2.41               -0.34
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 82,760 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  51,008 Hd
Equivalent:                   $371.64             $362.30
DEMAND (Box)   31,752 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $355.77             $349.23
Live-Box Spread:              $15.87              $13.07
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $367.77
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $361.23
  Live Steer:          1589   $245.25    28,391: Current Lds:            50.2
  Live Heifer:         1401   $245.65    13,483: Previous Lds:           59.6
  Drsd Steer:          1014   $381.16     6,950
  Drsd Heifer:          917   $380.96     2,184
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.90
 Ch 600-900# :                 86.83%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.42%
 Ch 600-750# :                 35.10%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.35%
 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 = 363.71                       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   $347.68   $359.86   $376.97   $374.29   $361.52
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $340.35   $352.53   $369.64   $366.96   $354.19
 Choice 1              3.35   $337.77   $349.95   $367.06   $364.38   $351.61
 Select 1             -5.47   $328.95   $341.13   $358.24   $355.56   $342.79
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.49   $302.93   $315.11   $332.22   $329.54   $316.77
 Prime 4              -0.86   $333.56   $345.74   $362.85   $360.17   $347.40
 Choice 4            -12.82   $321.60   $333.78   $350.89   $348.21   $335.44
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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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