Chicago Firms On Outside Influences

Corn: Dec 11 Corn closed at USD6.51, up 1 3/4 cents; Mar 12 Corn closed at USD6.62 1/4, up 2 1/4 cents. This afternoons USDA Crop Progress report showed 65% harvested compared with 47% last week and 51% normally. The east is lagging with harvesting in IN, OH, and MI only at 42%, 14% and 20% done respectively. Good/excellent crop conditions were up one point to 54%. Outside markets helped, with NYMEX crude oil rising above USD90/barrel for the first time since July.
Wheat: Dec 11 CBOT Wheat closed at USD6.42 1/2, up 10 1/2 cents; Dec 11 KCBT Wheat closed at USD7.35, up 12 cents; Dec 11 MGEX Wheat closed at USD9.17 1/4, down 2 cents. Outside markets firmed the grains in general. The USDA Crop Progress report showed 82% of US winter wheat planted, 2 points below average. Emerged was at 56%, 7 points below average. Crop conditions were at 47% good/excellent, in line with last year.