USDA Carcass Price Equivalent Index 02/18 15:31

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Wed, Feb 18, 2026     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $361.72             $355.46
 Change =>                      -0.49                0.19
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 84,122 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  51,042 Hd
Equivalent:                   $371.64             $362.29
DEMAND (Box)   33,080 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $351.80             $348.63
Live-Box Spread:              $19.84              $13.66
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $363.80
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $360.63
  Live Steer:          1588   $245.25    28,425: Current Lds:           110.6
  Live Heifer:         1401   $245.65    13,483: Previous Lds:          119.5
  Drsd Steer:          1014   $381.16     6,950
  Drsd Heifer:          917   $380.96     2,184
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       11.91
 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 = 361.72                       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   $345.69   $357.87   $374.98   $372.30   $359.53
 Certified 1-3         5.93   $338.36   $350.54   $367.65   $364.97   $352.20
 Choice 1              3.35   $335.78   $347.96   $365.07   $362.39   $349.62
 Select 1             -5.47   $326.96   $339.14   $356.25   $353.57   $340.80
 Stndrd 1-3          -31.49   $300.94   $313.12   $330.23   $327.55   $314.78
 Prime 4              -0.86   $331.57   $343.75   $360.86   $358.18   $345.41
 Choice 4            -12.82   $319.61   $331.79   $348.90   $346.22   $333.45
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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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