Beef Carcass Price Equivalent

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, May 25, 2012     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $181.17             $173.13
 Change =>                      -0.51               -0.73
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 239,110 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  163,934 Hd
Equivalent:                   $179.71             $172.80
DEMAND (Box)   75,176 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $182.63             $173.46
Live-Box Spread:              ($2.92)             ($0.66)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $194.63
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $185.46
  Live Steer:          1322   $122.37    57,035: Current Lds:           177.5
  Live Heifer:         1195   $122.48    46,662: Previous Lds:          194.5
  Drsd Steer:           874   $194.19    40,984
  Drsd Heifer:          792   $193.94    19,253
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.15
 Ch 600-900# :                 72.48%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.87%
 Ch 600-750# :                 25.66%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.71%
 Ch 750-900# :                 46.83%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 27.52%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  8.00%:
 Se 750-900# :                 19.51%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 181.17                       Carcass Weights
                             400-500#500-600#  600-900#  900-1000#  1000#/up
 Qlty/Yield      (1)           -28.93    -13.04               -1.70    -21.54
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 Prime 1-3            17.28   $169.52   $185.41   $198.45   $196.75   $176.91
 Certified 1-3         4.82   $157.06   $172.95   $185.99   $184.29   $164.45
 Choice 1              3.38   $155.62   $171.51   $184.55   $182.85   $163.01
 Select 1             -2.98   $149.26   $165.15   $178.19   $176.49   $156.65
 Stndrd 1-3          -20.51   $131.73   $147.62   $160.66   $158.96   $139.12
 Prime 4               4.58   $156.82   $172.71   $185.75   $184.05   $164.21
 Choice 4            -11.38   $140.86   $156.75   $169.79   $168.09   $148.25
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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.LGMN@ams.usda.gov
        24 Hour recorded market information 515-284-4830
        www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/NW_LS410.txt
        www.ams.usda.gov/LSMarketNews

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