US Plains HRW Wheat-Basis flat, USDA estimates winter wheat area

CHICAGO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Basis bids for hard red winter wheat were flat in the southern U.S. Plains on Monday, dealers said, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that plantings were about unchanged for harvest this year.

• Farmers planted 23.5 million acres of hard red winter wheat for harvest in 2026, compared to 23.489 million acres for harvest in 2025, the USDA said. A record low planted area was expected in Nebraska.

• For all winter wheat plantings, the USDA estimated farmers planted 32.99 million acres for harvest in 2026, down from 33.153 million for harvest in 2025. On average, analysts had expected 32.413 million acres, a Reuters poll showed.

• K.C. March HRW wheat futures KWH26 closed down 3-1/2 cents at $5.26-3/4 per bushel.

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