Bids for hard red winter wheat in the US Plains were steady to mixed on Monday as spotty mill demand was noted. The basis was a dime firmer in Mewton and Wichita, Kansas, but 3 cents weaker in Salina, Kansas. Protein premiums climbed 2-7 cents a bushel for a range of protein levels, from 11.40- to 14.00 percent protein wheat. Increased mill demand was noted in some areas and a pick up in export demand was cited by dealers.
Kansas City Board of Trade wheat ended higher on Friday with the March contract up 9 cents at $6.67. Private analyst Informa Economics on Friday hiked its forecast of winter wheat seedings to 41.947 million acres, matching the USDA's January 12 estimate. Informa had previously estimated winter wheat seedings at 39.833 million acres.