The weekly average Choice boxed beef cutout settled at $379.38 per cwt for the week ending October 2, according to USDA data — down $1.88 from the prior week and marking four consecutive days of declining values. The Select cutout averaged $358.13 per cwt, off $3.37 week-over-week, widening the Choice-Select spread to $21.25.

Daily Choice values showed steady erosion through the week: $382.79 on September 30, $382.66 on September 29, $380.48 on September 28, and closing at $374.19 on October 2. Select followed a similar pattern, ending the week at $354.49 after reaching $364.48 on September 29. Total negotiated trade volume reached 561 loads for the week — Choice cuts accounted for 357.62 loads (14.3 million pounds), while Select cuts made up 54.54 loads (2.2 million pounds).

Primal values diverged across the carcass. Choice rib commanded $667.24 per cwt, maintaining a $103.96 premium over Select rib at $563.28. Choice loin settled at $468.62 versus $429.23 for Select — a $39.39 differential. Among middle meats, ribeye cuts showed the widest price ranges: Choice boneless heavy ribeye (112A) traded from $1,519.43 to $1,675.00, weighted average $1,579.33. Choice strip loin (180) ranged $906.00 to $1,087.25, averaging $966.11 per cwt.

Chuck and round primals held tighter. Choice chuck averaged $333.25 per cwt against Select’s $328.47, while round values actually inverted — Select at $305.22 edged Choice at $303.51. Ground beef activity totaled 93.47 loads (3.7 million pounds), with 81% lean trading in a $310.00–$433.67 range and averaging $342.41 per cwt.

The sustained four-day slide and widening spread suggest differentiating demand for premium grades as packers move into Q4. Whether the cutout stabilizes or continues lower will depend on how retail and food-service buyers position inventory ahead of the holiday quarter.

[Source: USDA LM_XB459 — October 2, 2026]