Grains mostly lower in Chicago

Grain futures prices closed mostly lower Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade. Corn was off 3 1/2 to off 6, soybeans were up off 7 3/4 to off 9 1/4, wheat was off 16 to off 24 1/2 and oats were off unchanged to up 3/4. Corn prices slipped with traders moving to take profits on the last trading day of the month. Wheat prices fell modestly with moisture expected in the western plains, where winter wheat conditions are poor by historic standards. Soybeans are finding support from strong demand but prices slid on somewhat improved conditions in both the Midwest and in South America. The prices: Corn: Dec 7.48 off 3 1/2, Mar 7.52 3/4 off 6, May 7.52 off 6, Jly 7.44 1/4 off 5 1/2. Soybeans: Jan 14.38 3/4 off 9 1/4, Mar 14.32 1/2 off 8 1/2, May 14.09 3/4 off 8 3/4, Jly 14.00 1/2 off 7 3/4. Wheat: Dec 8.44 3/4 off 24 1/2, Mar 8.63 1/2 off 22, May 8.72 off 21, Jly 8.70 1/2 off 16. Oats: Dec 3.60 3/4 unchanged, Mar 3.78 3/4 up 1/4, May 3.82 3/4 up 3/4, Jly 3.82 1/4 up 3/4.