Spot basis bids for hard red winter wheat in the US Plains were steady to mixed on Tuesday. An Oklahoma merchant firmed the basis a dime a bushel but a Kansas location was 3 cents weaker amid spotty demand. Farmers remained focused on the planting and condition of the new winter wheat crop.
The US Department of Agriculture reported that the new crop was 71 percent planted as of Sunday, matching the five-year average pace. Key grower Kansas was 81 percent planted. About 36 percent of the new US winter wheat crop had emerged, USDA said. Rains over the weekend were beneficial to the new crop. Kansas City Board of Trade hard red winter wheat futures ended Monday with the December contract down 9 cents at $8.81-1/4.