U.S. Plains HRW Wheat-Basis flat as wheat planting continues

CHICAGO, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Basis bids for hard red winter wheat held steady on Monday at grain elevators across the southern U.S. Plains in quiet trade as producers in the region focused on planting the 2026 winter wheat crop and harvesting corn, soybeans and sorghum in between rain showers.

• Analysts surveyed by Reuters on average estimated that seeding of the 2026 winter wheat crop was 50% complete nationally, as of Sunday, up from the U.S Department of Agriculture's estimate of 34% by September 28.

• The USDA normally publishes a weekly crop progress report each Monday afternoon, but due to the ongoing government shutdown, no reports from the agency's statistical arm were released on Monday.

• Protein premiums for railcar HRW wheat to and through Kansas City were unchanged. KCBT/SCA

• K.C. December hard red winter wheat KWZ25 futures settled down 1-1/2 cents at $4.95-1/2 a bushel but stayed above a life-of-contract low set last week at $4.88.

Basis values are quoted against futures in cts/bu:

NOTES:

H = March, K = May, N = July, U = September

Z = December; UNQ = Unquoted bids

0 = Sp Option price; NC = No comparison

* = No. 1 12% hard winter wheat, rail bids

** = Ordinary protein, rail bids

LINKS:

* K.C. HRW wheat protein scales KCBT/SCA

* U.S. weekly wheat crop progress US/WHE

* U.S. forward basis WHEAT/BASIS

* U.S. Midwest cash grain PM GRA/PM

* U.S. FOB Gulf Grain GRA/F