Grain prices mixed Monday

Grains closed mixed on the Chicago Board of Trade Monday as farmers in Argentina wage a seven-day strike to protest raised export taxes.

Corn was off 1/2 to off 1, soybeans were up 3 to up 4, wheat was off 1/2 to off 1 and oats were off 1/2.

Corn closed lower, although South Korea purchased 110,000 metric tons Monday and Mercopress reported farmers began blocking roads in Argentina Saturday. Wheat prices fell with heavy and moderate rain expected in the soft red wheat belt. Soybeans rose with rains in Brazil expected to delay the harvest there.

The prices:

Corn: May 3.95 1/2, off 1; Jul 4.06, off 1; Sep 4.15 1/2, off 1/2; Dec 4.27 1/4, off 3/4.

Soybeans: May 9.55 1/2, up 3 1/2; Jul 9.52, up 3; Aug 9.36 1/2, up 4; Sep 9.08 1/2, up 3.

Wheat: May 5.49 1/4, off 1; Jul 5.61 3/4, off 3/4; Sep 5.86 1/4, off 1/2; Dec 6.08, off 3/4.

Oats: May 1.99 1/2, off 1/2; Jul 2.08 1/4, off 1/2; Sep 2.17 1/4, off 1/2; Dec 2.32, off 1/2.