eCBOT Close/Early Call

eCBOT futures closed sharply lower with corn down 13-14 cents, wheat 25-26c lower and soybeans 35-37c easier.

All three products ended at or near 3-week lows as rains moved through some of the driest areas of the U.S. Midwest, giving a boost to late-developing crops.

Plunging global stocks and oil prices also pressured grains, as increasing prospects for a softening global economy boosts the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other major currencies, making U.S. grains expensive for overseas buyers.

For this afternoon's CBOT ession early calls are: Corn futures to open 12 to 15 lower; soybeans 30 to 35 lower; wheat 20 to 25 lower.