Grain futures mixed Thursday

CHICAGO, June 17 (UPI) -- Grain futures were mixed on the Chicago Board of Trade Thursday as equities on Wall Street rose slightly and the dollar index dropped.

Corn was up 1 to up 1 1/4, soybeans were off 5 3/4 to up 1 1/4, wheat was up 1 1/2 to up 6 3/4 and oats were off 1 1/2 to off 8 3/4.

Corn prices surged early, but eased back on reports of beneficial weather expected in the Midwest. Wheat futures rose, increasing the spread against corn for the second consecutive day as heavy rains -- as much as four inches -- are expected in wheat growing regions of Western Canada. Soybean prices were mixed Thursday with the dollar index down 0.51 percent

The prices:

Corn: Jly 3.57 1/2, up 1 1/4; Sep 3.67, up 1 1/4; Dec 3.78 1/4, up 1; Mar 3.91 1/4, up 1.

Soybeans: Jly 9.52, off 5 3/4; Aug 9.44 1/4, off 1/4; Sep 9.31 1/4, up 1 1/4; Nov 9.25, up 1/2.

Wheat: Jly 4.62 3/4, up 1 1/2; Sep 4.78 1/2, up 1 3/4; Dec 5.08 3/4, up 4 1/4; Mar 5.39 1/2, up 6 3/4.

Oats: Jly 2.61 1/4, off 8 3/4; Sep 2.58 1/2, off 5 1/2; Dec 2.68 1/2, off 3 1/2; Mar 2.63 1/2, off 1 1/2.