Grains close higher Thursday

Grains close higher Thursday

May 14, 2009 (United Press International) -- Grains closed higher on the Chicago Board of Trade Thursday as the dollar traded lower against the euro and crude oil prices rose modestly.

Corn was up 1 3/4 to up 2, soybeans were up 13 1/2 to up 19 1/2, wheat was up 2 3/4 to up 4 1/2 and oats were up 1/2 to up 1 1/2.

Rain continues to delay corn planting in the Midwest, but is forecast to abate by Sunday. India's trade secretary said a moratorium on wheat exports could end soon. China was in the market for soybeans Thursday, buying 120,000 metric tons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

The prices:

Corn: May 4.21 1/2, up 2; Jul 4.28 1/4, up 1 3/4; Sep 4.37 1/2, up 2; Dec 4.49 1/4, up 2.

Soybeans: May 11.66, up 16; Jul 11.47 1/2, up 19 1/2; Aug 10.98 1/2, up 13 1/3; Sep 10.40 1/2, up 13 1/2.

Wheat: May 5.81 1/2, up 2 3/4; Jul 5.93 1/4, up 4 1/2; Sep 6.19 3/4, up 4 1/2; Dec 6.42, up 4 1/2.

Oats: May 2.23 1/2, up 1 1/2; Jul 2.28, up 1/2; Sep 2.36 1/2, up 1/2; Dec 2.49, up 1/2.