Grains mostly lower Thursday

Grain futures closed mostly lower on the Chicago Board of Trade Thursday as the dollar index rose slightly and equities closed with moderate gains. Corn was off 10 3/4 to off 12 1/2, soybeans were off 6 1/2 to up 3/4, wheat was off 1/2 to off 11 1/4 and oats were up 1 to up 4 1/2. Corn futures closed lower after export sales for the week came in lower than expected. In the wheat market, prices fell, but found support from a late rally in soybeans. The soybean market also lost ground in a day marked by profit-taking that closed with a late upswing. The prices: Corn: Dec 7.42 off 12 1/2, Mar 7.44 off 12, May 7.40 3/4 off 11, Jly 7.34 off 10 3/4. Soybeans: Nov 15.64 off 6 1/2, Jan 15.66 off 6 1/4, Mar 15.37 unchanged, May 14.83 3/4 up 3/4. Wheat: 8.72 3/4 off 11 1/4, Mar 8.86 3/4 off 10 1/2, May 8.92 1/2 off 8 3/4, Jly 8.67 off 1/2. Oats: Dec 3.87 3/4 up 1, Mar 3.94 3/4 up 3 1/4, May 3.95 1/4 up 4 1/2, Jly 3.94 3/4 up 4 1/2.