Grains close mostly lower in Chicago

CHICAGO, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Grains closed mostly lower on the Chicago Board of Trade Wednesday with a weak dollar providing an early boost that failed to hold through the day.

Corn was off 1 1/4 to off 1 3/4, soybeans were off 5 to 7 3/4, wheat was off 2 3/4 to off 3 1/2 and oats were up 3/4 to up 1.

Corn prices fell slightly as weather to complete the 2008 harvest appeared favorable. Jordan and Russia both purchased wheat today, 50,000 metric tons and 142,863 metric tons, respectively. India's soybean oil import tax began today, a move expected to reduce demand, traders said.

The prices:

Corn: Dec 3.78 3/4, off 1 1/4; Mar 3.95 1/4, off 1 1/4, May 4.06 1/2, off 1 1/4; Jul 4.17 1/4, off 1 3/4.

Soybeans: Jan 8.97, off 5; Mar 9.04 1/4, off 6; May 9.13, off 7 3/4; Jul 9.22 1/2, off 7 1/4.

Wheat: Dec 5.27, off 2 3/4; Mar 5.46 1/2, off 3; May 5.60 1/2, off 3 1/2; Jul 5.74 1/2, off 3.

Oats: Dec 2.16 1/4, up 3/4; Mar 2.32, up 1; May 2.43, up 1; Jul 2.53 1/2, up 1.