Boxed beef prices were mostly steady on Friday, with the Choice cutout closing at $407.91/cwt, up just $0.05 from the previous day, and Select at $383.66/cwt, up $0.06. The Choice/Select spread narrowed slightly to $24.25, and total loads increased to 118, up from 74 on Thursday. Among the primals, movement was mixed: the rib dropped $6.82 to $606.89, the loin slipped $2.31, and the round edged down $0.96. On the other hand, the chuck gained $3.65, brisket rose $4.99, plate added $2.17, and flank was up $1.40. Despite minimal daily changes, boxed beef has climbed $46.59 so far in August—now the highest August average on record.