A higher start is expected this am, roughly 5-7 wheat, 2-3 corn and 10 beans. The outside markets point lower as far as the grains are concerned this am with crude oil and equities a little lower while the $ index is bit higher. There is little fresh market moving news this am to account for our higher prices overnight. I think we were up last night and will start higher this am in a technical reaction to losses in corn and beans this week. The weekend is almost here and some traders might want to take profits or even up ahead of this, which could prop up prices today.

Rain is still forecast in the dry Argentine wheat belt early next week but the driest part of the belt, La Pampa and western Buenos Aires provinces, is expected to only get light, scattered rain so more will still be needed very soon to prevent even more crop stress. More beneficial monsoon rains are predicted the next few days in India, helping improve the still guarded outlook for crops there.

The US Midwest will continue to enjoy very favorable weather for corn and beans, one of the main reasons these crops are lower for the week so far. Scattered rain coupled with mild temps has been the main weather feature the last few weeks across most of the midwest and more of the same is forecast the next several days. The 6-10 day calls for continued mild temps and above normal rain. The Delta will see more scattered rain the next several days and the 6-10 day predicts more of the same with cool temps, a favorable weather combination. ---Vic Lespinasse