US Midwest spot basis bids for corn and soyabeans were mostly steady early on Friday with farmer sales quiet the day after Christmas, dealers said. But corn bids at ethanol plants were mixed after a spurt of farmer sales earlier this week when corn prices in the country hit $4 a bushel. River bids for corn and soyabeans were firm supported by easing barge freight, partially due a mild December which has prevented Midwest rivers from icing.
The high in Chicago on Friday was expected to reach a balmy 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Many Midwest elevators were not open for dumping grain on Friday but buyers were in until at least the close of the Chicago Board of Trade. CBOT markets close at their regular hours on Friday. CBOT grain markets opened this morning at 8:30 am CT (1430 GMT) after the Christmas break. By 8:50 am, soyabeans were up 8 cents, corn steady, and wheat up 2 cent.