Weather too good for grain trades Friday

CHICAGO, July 18 (UPI) -- Almost ideal weather in parts of the United States put pressure on grain trades on the Chicago Board of Trade Friday.

Corn was off 21 to off 21 3/4; soybeans were off 49 1/2 to off 51; wheat was off 5 to off 5 1/2; oats were off 10 1/4 to off 14 3/4.

The corn belt expects hot and wet weather over the weekend to bolster the late crop. Wheat areas are facing weather delays, which supported trades Friday, traders said. Soybeans prices, like corn prices, edged down on beneficial forecasts.

The prices:

Corn: Sep 6.09 1/2, off 21 3/4; Dec 6.28 1/2, off 21 1/2; Mar 6.47 3/4, off 21; May 6.59 3/4, off 21 1/4.

Soybeans: Aug 14.70, off 51; Sep 14.58 1/2, off 49 1/2; Nov 14.48, off 50; Jan 14.63 3/4, off 50.

Wheat: Sep 8.04, off 5 1/2; Dec 8.28 1/2, off 5 1/4; Mar 8.51 1/2, off 5; May 8.67, off 5 1/4.

Oats: Sep 4.00 1/4, off 14 3/4; Dec 4.16 3/4, off 14 3/4; Mar 4.35 3/4, off 14 1/4; May 4.47 3/4, off 10 1/4.