Grains close mostly higher in Chicago

Chicago -- Grains closed mostly higher on the Chicago Board of Trade as exports have slowed for corn and wheat.

Corn was up 3 1/4 to up 3 3/4, soybeans were off 9 to up 2 1/2, wheat was up 15 1/4 to up 16 and oats were off 10 1/2.

Corn closed higher as the dollar lost strength late Friday. Wheat was sharply up, although Friday included an unconfirmed report of a shipment of British wheat being imported to the United States owing to the dollar's strength against the pound and favorable shipping rates. Soybeans prices were mixed, although meal and oil exports had gained in the week.

The prices:

Corn: Dec 3.80 1/4, up 3 1/4; Mar 3.97, up 3 1/2; May 4.08 1/2, up 3 3/4; Jul 4.19 3/4, up 3 3/4.

Soybeans: Nov 8.78, off 9; Jan 8.96, up 2; Mar 9.05, up 2, May 9.15 3/4, up 2 1/2.

Wheat: Dec 5.54 1/4, up 16; Mar 5.74 1/2, up 15 3/4; May 5.89, up 15 1/2; Jul 6.03, up 15 1/4.

Oats: Dec 2.15 1/2, off 10 1/2; Mar 2.31 1/2, off 10 1/2; May 2.42, off 10 1/2; Jul 2.52 1/2, off 10 1/2.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.