Grains sharply lower in Chicago Friday

CHICAGO, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Grains closed sharply lower on the Chicago Board of Trade Friday, pulled by a downward spiral in financial markets.

Corn was off 30, soybeans were off 70, wheat was off 41 1/4 to off 44 and oats were off 19.

Corn prices fell on a U.S. Department of Agriculture report indicating yields were up to 154 bushels per acre from 152.3 bushels. Wheat yields on the year were also up, from 43.5 bushels per acre to 44.9. Soybeans yields in the September report were slightly lower at 39.5 bushels per acre compared with a previous estimate of 40 bushels.

The prices:

Corn: Dec 4.08 1/4, off 30; Mar 4.25 3/4, off 30; May 4.37 1/2, off 30; Jul 4.48 1/4, off 30.

Soybeans: Nov 9.10, off 70; Jan 9.25 1/2, off 70; Mar 9.39 1/2, off 70, May 9.49 3/4, off 70.

Wheat: Dec 5.63 1/2, off 41 1/4; Mar 5.83 3/4, off 42 1/4; May 5.97 1/2, off 43 1/4; Jul 6.10 1/2, off 44.

Oats: Dec 2.78 1/2, off 19; Mar 2.95 1/2, off 19; May 3.07, off 19; Jul 3.18 1/2, off 19.