The Choice boxed beef cutout averaged $378.16 per cwt for the week ended September 11, up 68 cents from the prior week, while the Select cutout dropped $2.59 to $353.23, according to USDA data released September 11. The divergence widened the Choice-Select spread to $24.93 per cwt.

Negotiated sales totaled 444 loads across the four-day week — 280.96 loads of Choice cuts, 54.16 loads of Select cuts, 54.48 loads of trimmings, and 54.01 loads of ground beef. Daily cutout values for Choice ranged from $375.94 on September 11 to a weekly high of $380.77 on September 9. Select cutouts fluctuated between $352.06 on September 10 and $355.39 on September 8.

Primal values showed wide variation between grades. Choice ribeye rolls (IMPS 112A heavy) traded at a weighted average of $1,514.06 per cwt across 101 trades totaling 330,990 pounds, with a top of $1,621.94. Select ribeye rolls of the same specification averaged $1,126.23 across 42 trades — a $387.83 difference. Choice tenderloins (IMPS 189A) commanded $1,760.33 per cwt on 124 trades, compared to $1,567.77 for Select on 23 trades. Among lower-value primals, Choice chuck shoulder clods averaged $413.40 per cwt versus $420.88 for Select, one of the few items where Select carried a premium.

Ground beef showed strength in leaner blends. Ground beef 81% lean averaged $335.66 per cwt across 146 trades totaling 1,197,273 pounds, while 85% lean commanded $438.63 and 93% lean reached $526.31. Fresh 50% lean trimmings — the raw material for further processing — averaged $93.04 per cwt on 71 trades totaling 2,179,183 pounds, with a range of $76.00 to $119.60.

The report captures negotiated sales for delivery within 21 days, reflecting current demand dynamics as buyers position inventories ahead of early fall. Monday’s numbers will show whether the Choice-Select divergence persists or narrows as packers adjust throughput.

[Source: USDA LM_XB459 — September 11, 2026]