Grain futures mixed Wednesday

Grain futures closed mixed on the Chicago Board of Trade Wednesday as forecasts of a frost in the northern U.S. Midwest returned.

Corn was up 3 1/2 to up 4, soybeans were off 1 3/4 to off 5 1/2, wheat was up 4 to up 4 1/4 and oats were up 3.

Corn futures closed higher with few sellers active Wednesday. Wheat closed higher despite improved weather conditions in Argentina. Forecasts also call for the possibility of freezing temperatures in China’s Heilongjiang province, a soybean growing area, within a week.

The prices:

Corn: Dec 3.80 1/4, up 4; Mar 3.92 1/4, up 3 3/4; May 4.00 1/4, up 3 1/2; Jul 4.05 3/4, up 3 1/2.

Soybeans: Mar 9.26, off 1 3/4; May 9.25, off 2 3/4; Jul 9.26 1/4, off 4 1/4; Aug 9.20, off 5 1/2.

Wheat: Dec 4.60, up 4 1/4; Mar 4.79 1/2, up 4; May 4.92, up 4; Jul 5.03 1/4, up 4.

Oats: Dec 2.16, up 3; Mar 2.29, up 3; May 2.38, up 3; Jul 2.47 1/2, up 3.