July wheat opened 5 1/2 cents lower this morning at 800 and established an early range of 790 to 810. Wheat opened lower as expected this morning and moved lower from there into early mid session. Pressure came from improved weather in the Plains, lower outside markets, the sell off in corn and a limit down move in rice according to floor traders. While the losses in wheat lagged the early losses in corn, floor traders indicate that there was minimal wheat/corn spreading in early in the session. This changed after 10:00 as spreaders began to actively buy wheat and sell corn which took wheat prices higher on the day. The southern Plains should see scattered rain through Thursday with amounts of up to 1 1/2 inches expected in some areas. This is expected to improve conditions there although traders were said to be surprised that this week's Crop Progress Report did not already show an overall improvement in the winter wheat crop. Cash markets are said to be quiet ahead of harvest. RICE: The July contract traded at limit down early in the day and remained sharply lower into mid session. This week's Crop Progress Report showed rice planting at 74% complete compared to a 5-year average of 80%. Emergence is running late at 48% compared to a 5-year average of 63%.