December Corn finished down 23 1/4 at 388, 28 off the high and 3 1/4 up from the low. March Corn closed down 23 1/2 at 405 1/2. This was 3 1/4 up from the low and 27 1/2 off the high.

Corn opened lower this morning and fell throughout the session as outside markets such as crude oil and stocks weakened. Traders were said to be watching economic data such as today's weak retail sales figure for indications of future economic conditions. Corn lost substantial ground to wheat on the day and corn also lost ground on the corn/soybean ratio. Traders said that volume was good on the initial break this morning and that funds were sellers along with locals. Commission house sell stops were triggered throughout the course of the day adding to the volume. Traders were also watching the Baltic Dry Sea Freight Index which fell to 5 1/2 year lows today, down 86% from the highs this spring. This was said to be increasing demand for US grains in recent weeks, but the steepness of the decline is thought to be causing added concerns over a potential lack of long term demand. Cash markets were said to be quiet today with mostly steady basis levels in the interior and at the Gulf. Harvest progress may be slowing today for corn with rains expected across most major growing areas except the SE Corn Belt today.

November Rice finished down 0.455 at 15.35, 0.41 off the high and 0.01 up from the low.