July soybeans opened 9 1/2 cents lower on the session at 1370 and established an early range of 1363 to 1377 3/4. Soybeans traded on both sides of the lower open in early trade before finding support near the early lows. Meal remained lower in early trade along with soybeans, but oil was higher. Oil pushed lower into the mid-session. Traders say that early support in soybean oil came in part from higher crude oil. Basis levels at the Gulf were said to be mainly steady with traders seeing fresh demand today that is lending the cash market there a firmer tone. Argentina has been the major topic of discussion this morning in the soybean complex. Today is the final scheduled day of the current strike there and the market has had no indication yet as to whether the strike will be continued or whether formal talks will resume. There was talk of a possible 24-hour hiatus in the strike earlier this week, but there have been no further reports on this over the past 24 hours. The President of Argentina gave a somewhat conciliatory speech last night, and traders indicate that this may have been a negative price influence overnight and into the morning session. Sources in Argentina say that processors and feed mixers had about one week's supply of product at the start of this week. This week's Export Sales Report were at the mid point of trade expectations in soybeans and meal and slightly above the high end of expectations in oil. Net soybean sales were 201,400 tonnes in old crop and only 300 tonnes in new crop. Sales of just 35,800 tonnes are needed each week to reach the USDA old crop projection. Total sales to date stand at 98.0% of the projected total compared to a 5-year average of 95.0%. Net meal sales were 115,600 tonnes in old crop and 1,200 tonnes in meal. Sales of 94,700 tonnes are needed each week to reach the USDA projection. Net oil sales were 10,800 tonnes in old crop and zero in new crop. Sales of 16,200 tonnes are needed each week to reach the USDA projection. Total sales to date stand at 74.4% compared to a 5-year average of 54.6%.