November soybeans opened 25 cents lower on the day at 1323 and established an early range of 1315 to 1335. The lower open generated selling by locals along which took out some commission house sell stops in very early action which drove the market sharply lower. However, floor traders reported a lack of sell orders soon thereafter which allowed the market to firm slightly into early mid session. Meal and oil were both lower to start the day although meal gained slightly on oil in the early going. Weather was credited for much of the early weakness as Iowa and Minnesota received added rains overnight and northern and western Illinois is getting some beneficial rains this morning. The USDA released its weekly Export Sales Report prior to the opening today and sales were considered weak for soybeans and soy oil and in line with expectations for meal. Net export sales for soybeans came in at -193,300 tonnes for the current marketing year which ends on August 31st, and 336,400 for next year for a total of 143,100. As of August 21, cumulative soybean sales for the 2008/2009 (next) marketing year have reached 27.0% of the USDA forecast versus a 5 year average of 19.5%. Sales of 370,000 tonnes are needed each week to reach the USDA forecast. Net meal sales came in at 34,900 tonnes for the current marketing year which ends on September 30th and 41,000 for the next marketing year for a total of 75,900. As of August 21, cumulative meal sales for the current marketing year have reached 87.7% of the USDA forecast versus a 5 year average of 90.5%. Sales of 195,000 tonnes are needed each week to reach the USDA forecast. Net oil sales came in at -19,300 tonnes for the current marketing year which ends on September 30th and 300 tonnes for the next marketing year for a total of -19,000. As of August 21, cumulative soybean oil sales for the current year have reached 78.1% of the USDA forecast versus a 5 year average of 75.8%. Sales of 58,000 tonnes are needed each week to reach the USDA forecast. The Census Bureau also released its July crush numbers today. Total crush was 139.1 million bushels which was below trade expectations. Oils stocks were 2.784 billion pounds, which was also below trade expectations and meal stocks were 294,500 tons which was thought to be well below expectations.