Grain prices off sharply in Chicago Friday

CHICAGO, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Grains traded lower on the Chicago Board of Trade Friday although the U.S. Department of Agriculture Export Sales report came in close to expectations.

At the Chicago Board of Trade, corn was off 16 to off 17 3/4, soybeans were off 54 to off 58 1/4, wheat was off 25 1/2 to off 27 and oats were off 1 to off 2.

Corn exports came in at 18 percent of the USDA forecast, equal to corn's five-year average. Wheat sales, at 55.1 percent, are ahead of the five-year average of 41.6 percent. Cumulative soybeans sales for the season are slightly ahead, 27.9 percent, compared with a historic average of 22.5 percent.

The prices:

Corn: Sep 5.31 1/2, off 17 3/4; Dec 5.48 1/2, off 16; Mar 5.67 1/4, off 16; May 5.79 1/4, off 16.

Soybeans: Sep 11.80, off 54 ; Nov 11.77, off 58; Jan 11.93 3/4, off 58 1/4, Mar 12.06 3/4, off 57 3/4.

Wheat: Sep 7.29 3/4, off 25 1/2; Dec 7.51 1/2, off 25 1/2; Mar 7.74 3/4, off 26; May 7.88 1/2, off 27.

Oats: Sep 3.27, off 1; Dec 3.41, off 2; Mar 3.58 1/2, off 2; May 3.70 1/2, off 2.