May corn opened 3 1/4 cents lower on the session at 549 and established an early range of 546 1/2 to 556 1/2. Corn opened lower and firmed to slightly higher levels into early mid session but prices remained within yesterday's range in the May contract early in light trade. Old crop gained slightly on new crop December this morning. Export sales were in line with trade expectations at 730,300 tonnes for both old and new crop. Old crop sales were 632,500 tonnes which compares to 404,000 tonnes needed each week to reach the USDA projection. Total sales to date stand at 84.9% of the projected total versus a 5-year average of 68.5%. Japan and Columbia were the largest buyers followed by Cuba. Basis levels at the Gulf are steady this morning. Lock 25 just north of St. Louis on the Mississippi had been expected to close on Friday. Instead it closed last night. Two barge tows were said to be enroute to that lock, but otherwise the effect of the earlier than expected closure is expected to be minimal. Wet weather on longer range forecasts remains the biggest factor in corn this morning with conditions in the southern Midwest in particular still delaying planting. The next significant showers are expected Saturday night and into Sunday and Monday. Again, this is concentrated in the already too wet southern Midwest which is expected to cause significant delays for early planting.