CHICAGO: Cash basis bids for hard red winter (HRW) wheat on Thursday in the southern US Plains held steady as farmers await better prices as harvest gets underway in parts of the region, merchandisers said.

Farmers were encouraged by higher Kansas City wheat contract futures, led by short-covering and improved demand outlook for product.

Protein premiums for wheat shipped to and through Kansas City were firmer on Wednesday and unchanged on Thursday.

December K.C. HRW wheat contract closed up 7 cents at $4.18 per bushel.—Reuters