July Corn finished down 7 1/2 at 607 1/4, 7 1/2 off the high and 12 1/4 up from the low. December Corn closed down 6 3/4 at 631. This was 14 up from the low and 6 3/4 off the high.

The market opened lower and moved to sharply lower levels in the first minutes of trade. The market traded at sharply lower levels for the remainder of the session before firming somewhat into the close in sympathy with soybeans according to floor traders. Old crop July was a slight loser to new crop December on the day. Traders cited improved weather as the major influence today. Drier weather is expected across much of the western Corn Belt this week which should greatly accelerate corn planting. The eastern Corn Belt will see scattered rains, but this should still allow substantial progress according to traders. Some traders are looking for planting progress this week to approach 30% which would allow the planting rate to nearly catch up with the normal pace by Sunday. While planting progress is expected to advance rapidly, cool weather has slowed emergence to just 11% of the overall crop compared to a 5-year average of 33%. This could still bring yield reductions according to analysts, but the excellent soil moisture levels will boost the crop once consistently warmer temperatures arrive. Cash corn in the Midwest was steady to weak.

July Rice finished down 0.5 at 22.24, 0.06 off the high and equal to the low.