US corn futures rose 2.2 percent on Thursday, bouncing back from some technical weakness on Wednesday as traders focused on the historic slow pace of planting in the Midwest. Prices, which hit their highest in nearly three years this week, needed to continue to rally to entice farmers to seed corn acres past the typical planting date and risk reduced yields at harvest time.
Soyabean and wheat futures also were firmer. Gains in soyabeans were kept in check by expectations that farmers unable to seed corn will switch some of their acreage to soyabeans, which can be planted later in the year than the yellow grain.
Wheat futures, which followed corn higher, also benefited from concerns about excessive moisture in the southern Plains damaging the crop that will be harvested in the coming weeks in that key production region. At 10:25 am. CDT (1525 GMT), Chicago Board of Trade corn for July delivery was up 9 cents at $4.27-3/4 a bushel. The forecast calls for some dry weather in the eastern Midwest next week before more showers arrive.
CBOT July soyabeans were up 4-1/2 cents at $8.76-1/2 a bushel. The contract found support from weakness at its 40-day moving average on Wednesday and during the overnight trading session. CBOT July wheat was 8 cents higher at $4.98-1/2 a bushel. While US farmers struggle with excessive moisture, Australian growers are suffering from a third year of drought.
Hot and dry weather will persist across Australia's east coast for at least another three months, the country's weather bureau said on Thursday, in a forecast that threatens to severely crimp agricultural production.
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