The weekly Choice boxed beef cutout value rose $3.24 to $377.50 per cwt for the week ending September 25, 2026, while Select grade advanced a modest $0.64 to $354.76, according to USDA data released September 25. The Choice-Select spread widened to $22.74 per cwt, reflecting differentiated demand across quality grades.

Rib and loin primals drove the Choice premium. The Choice rib primal averaged $660.58 per cwt—nearly $118 above the Select rib primal at $542.82. Within that category, boneless ribeye traded heavily, with 110 loads of heavy ribeye moving at a weighted average of $1,556.33 per cwt and bone-in ribeye accounting for 84 trades at $1,349.95 per cwt. Choice loin primal values reached $465.80 per cwt versus $430.86 for Select. Strip loins led loin activity: 159 trades of boneless Choice strip (0x1) averaged $990.11 per cwt, while 52 Select loads came in at $804.65 per cwt.

Total negotiated volume for the week reached 490 loads across cuts, trimmings, and grinds. Choice cuts dominated at 332.39 loads (13.3 million pounds), while Select cuts accounted for 48.49 loads (1.9 million pounds). Ground beef moved 75.55 loads, with 81% lean averaging $332.90 per cwt across 173 trades totaling 1.4 million pounds. Trimmings added 33.42 loads, with fresh 50% lean material trading between $70.50 and $115.00 per cwt, averaging $87.77 across 59 transactions.

Chuck and round primals showed tighter spreads between grades. Choice chuck averaged $331.80 per cwt against Select’s $325.84, a difference of under $6. Round primals inverted slightly, with Select at $302.68 per cwt edging above Choice at $301.04—a rare reversal reflecting mixed demand dynamics in middle meats.

Daily cutout values held relatively stable through the week, with Choice ranging from $376.12 to $378.89 and Select between $352.10 and $357.85. The five-day volume pattern showed load counts fluctuating from 58 on September 21 to 116 on September 24, indicating consistent but uneven procurement activity. Watch whether premium cut strength persists as the calendar advances toward the fourth quarter. [Source: USDA LM_XB459 — September 25, 2026]