Grain Future Prices Close Mix on CBOT

Commodities Trading - Grain futures prices closed mixed on the Chicago Board of Trade Wednesday as concerns of a heat wave dictated market sentiment.

Corn was off 8 1/2 to off 10, soybeans were off 1 to up 2 1/2, wheat was up 3 1/2 to up 12 3/4 and oats were unchanged.

Corn prices opened higher, but buying faded as the sharp rally that began in previous sessions appears to have hit its peak. Wheat trading also balanced concerns over possible crop damage from a prolonged heat wave with concerns that the rally earlier in the week had run its course. Soybeans futures were off slightly as the weekend weather forecasts included some cooling down from mid-week highs.

The prices:

Corn: Sep 6.88 off 10, Dec 6.77 3/4 off 9 1/2, Mar 6.89 3/4 off 9 1/2, May 6.96 1/2 off 8 1/2.

Soybeans: Aug 13.78 1/4 off 1, Sep 13.79 up 2, Nov 13.84 up 2, Jan 13.93 1/4 up 2 1/2.

Wheat: Sep 6.97 up 3 1/2, Dec 7.35 1/4 up 8 1/2, Mar 7.68 3/4 up 11, May 7.87 1/2, up 12 3/4.

Oats: Sep 3.53 1/2, Dec 3.65, Mar 3.75, May 3.81 1/2 -- all unchanged.