The grains opened the week with moderate to sharp losses due to lower than expected GDP growth rate in China, and concerns of bird flu cases which can limit feed demand. However, the grains rebounded the next day as outside markets found some support with the stock market bouncing back along with precious metals and a lower dollar.

The slow start in corn planting with USDA reporting 2 percent of the corn planted which is 5 percent less than the five year average off 7 percent. Old crop soybeans remain tight lending a boost. Wheat saw additional support from cold weather in the southern plains.

Rain fell across the western corn-belt and throughout the Midwest adding to planting delays but beneficial for overall conditions. To the north, snow fell in the Dakota’s and in Minnesota adding to flood worries once the snow pact melts. NOPA crush came in at 137.08 million bushels, slightly below estimates of 137.5 and up from 136.3 a month ago.

Corn exports were bearish totaling 417,200 tonnes with 400,300 tonnes for 2012-2013. Soybean export sales were bullish totaling 566,800 tonnes with 339,400 tonnes for 2012-2013. Wheat had weekly export sales totaling 1,674,700 tonnes with 552,100 tonnes for 2012-2013.

Wheat was 7 cents lower to 48 cents higher. Yellow Corn was 2-14 cents lower. Sorghum was 10-12 cents lower. Soybeans were 4 cents lower to 33 cents higher.

WHEAT

• Kansas City US No 1 Hard Red Winter, ordinary protein rail bid was 3 cents lower to 5 cents higher from 8.08 3/4-8.50 3/4 per bushel.
• Kansas City US No 2 Soft Red winter rail bid was not quoted.
• St. Louis truck US No 2 Soft Red Winter terminal bid was 17 cents higher at 7.28 per bushel.
• Minneapolis and Duluth US No 1 Dark Northern Spring, 14.0 to 14.5 percent protein rail, was 28 1/4 to 48 1/4 cents higher at 9.27 3/4 per bushel.
• Portland US Soft White wheat rail was 7 1/4 to 7 3/4 cents lower from 7.85-7.87 3/4 per bushel.

CORN

• Kansas City US No 2 rail White Corn was 4 to 11 cents higher from 6.88-7.04 per bushel.
• Kansas City US No 2 truck Yellow Corn was 14 cents lower from 6.80-6.85 per bushel.
• Omaha US No 2 truck Yellow Corn was 2 to 6 cents lower from 6.76-6.78 per bushel.
• Chicago US No 2 Yellow Corn was 6 3/4 to 7 3/4 cents lower from 6.39 1/2-6.64 1/2 per bushel.
• Toledo US No 2 rail Yellow corn was 6 3/4 to 8 3/4 cents lower from 6.54 1/2-6.57 1/2 per bushel.
• Minneapolis US No 2 Yellow corn rail was 13 3/4 cents lower at 6.31 1/2 per bushel.

OATS AND BARLEY

• US 2 or Better oats, rail bid to arrive at Minneapolis 20 day was 14 3/4 cents higher at 4.18 1/2-4.23 1/2 per bushel.
• US No 3 or better rail malting Barley, 70 percent or better plump out of Minneapolis was 50 cents higher at 6.75 per bushel.
• Portland US 2 Barley, unit trains and Barges-export was not available.

SORGHUM

• US No 2 yellow truck, Kansas City was 11 cents lower at 11.34 per cwt.
• Texas High Plains US No 2 yellow sorghum (prices paid or bid to the farmer, fob elevator) was 10 to 12 cents lower from 11.47-11.51 per cwt.

OILSEEDS

• Minneapolis Yellow truck soybeans were 33 1/2 cents higher at 14.36 1/2 per bushel.
• Illinois Processors US No 1 Yellow truck soybeans were 4 cents lower to 18 cents higher from 14.50-14.85 per bushel.
• Kansas City US No 2 Yellow truck soybeans were 14 cents higher at 14.73 per bushel.
• Central Illinois 48 percent Soybean meal, processor rail bid was 18.00 to 20.00 higher from 425.00-436.00 per ton.
• Central Illinois Crude Soybean oil processor bid was 11 to 31 points lower from 48.91-50.46 cents per pound.