Grains mostly lower Thursday

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CHICAGO, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Grain futures closed mostly lower in Chicago Thursday with the dollar index up sharply, gaining 0.83 percent on the International Exchange.

On the Chicago Board of Trade, corn was off 1 1/2 to off 6, soybeans were off 2 1/2 to off 6, wheat off 3 3/4 to up 1/4 and oats were up 2 1/4 to up 2 1/2.

Corn futures dropped for the second consecutive trading session as traders waited for a weekly export sales report due Friday.

Wheat prices slid with wheat split across the country, gaining in Minneapolis and falling in Kansas City.

Soybean futures dropped with pressure from the stronger dollar and due China canceling a purchase.

The prices:

Corn: Mar 6.89 1/4 off 1 1/2, May 6.91 off 2 1/2, Jly 6.86 1/2 off 4 1/4, Sep 6.09 1/2 off 6.

Soybeans: Jan 14.03 off 2 1/2, Mar 13.86 1/2 off 5 3/4, May 13.78 1/4 off 6, Jly 13.76 1/2 off 5 1/2.

Wheat: Mar 7.55 1/2 up 1/4, May 7.64 3/4 off 1 1/4, Jly 7.71 1/4 off 1 3/4, Sep 7.83 1/2 off 3 3/4.

Oats: Mar 3.37 3/4 up 2 1/4, May 3.45 up 2 1/4, Jly 3.497 3/4 up 2 1/2, Sep 3.43 3/4 up 2 1/2.