Spot basis bids for hard red winter wheat were mostly steady to weaker in the Southern Plains on Tuesday with harvest rolling northward. Though the new crop was largely in good shape there were concerns in some areas that more moisture was needed.
Kansas States University agronomist Jim Shroyer reported that wheat fields in central and western Kansas were under stress and needed at least one last good rainfall before harvest. USDA said the new crop was rated 60 percent good to excellent as of Sunday, down from 63 percent in those categories the week prior. Harvest was expected to begin in about 10 days in southern areas of top producer Kansas, merchants said. Test cutting was seen getting underway in north-central Oklahoma this week. Protein premiums for railcar wheat to and through Kansas City were unchanged. Kansas City Board of Trade hard red winter wheat futures ended higher on Monday with the July contract up 4-1/2 cents at $6.14-1/2.