Beef Carcass Price Equivalent

NW_LS410
Des Moines, IA     Fri, May 04, 2012     USDA Market News

USDA BEEF CARCASS PRICE EQUIVALENT INDEX VALUE

                             CHOICE              SELECT
Index                       600-900#            600-900#
 Values =>                    $176.61             $172.24
 Change =>                      -0.17               -0.23
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Current Index Reflects the Equivalent of 127,348 head of cattle.
SUPPLY (Live)  52,427 Hd
Equivalent:                   $174.94             $170.38
DEMAND (Box)   74,921 Hd*
Equivalent:                   $178.29             $174.11
Live-Box Spread:              ($3.35)             ($3.73)
----------------------------  Input Breakdown   -----------------------------
         National Daily Direct Cattle          :      Boxed Beef Cutouts
        (5 day accumulated wghtd avg)          : Ch 600-900#          $190.29
                  Weight   Price     Head      : Se 600-900#          $186.11
  Live Steer:          1319   $120.11    16,200: Current Lds:           211.0
  Live Heifer:         1213   $119.90    14,347: Previous Lds:          210.3
  Drsd Steer:           867   $192.05    13,868
  Drsd Heifer:          831   $192.05     8,012
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      Grading % Breakdown            :         Drop Credit      :       13.84
 Ch 600-900# :                 73.94%:         Steer Dressing % :      63.95%
 Ch 600-750# :                 25.15%:         Heifer Dressing %:      63.87%
 Ch 750-900# :                 48.79%:         Processing Cost  :       12.00
 Se 600-900# :                 26.06%:         Slaughter Cost   :       50.50
 Se 600-750# :                  6.13%:
 Se 750-900# :                 19.93%:
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 Equivalent Values for Outlying Beef Carcass Types
 Basis Value = 176.61                       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            16.78   $164.46   $180.35   $193.39   $191.69   $171.85
 Certified 1-3         4.32   $152.00   $167.89   $180.93   $179.23   $159.39
 Choice 1              3.38   $151.06   $166.95   $179.99   $178.29   $158.45
 Select 1             -0.62   $147.06   $162.95   $175.99   $174.29   $154.45
 Stndrd 1-3          -19.10   $128.58   $144.47   $157.51   $155.81   $135.97
 Prime 4               4.08   $151.76   $167.65   $180.69   $178.99   $159.15
 Choice 4            -11.38   $136.30   $152.19   $165.23   $163.53   $143.69
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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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