DTN Closing Grain Comments    03/25 13:42
   Corn, Soybeans Higher at Midweek on Biofuel Optimism

   Soybean futures continued their choppy pattern for the week, regaining
Tuesday's losses and then some ahead of the expected EPA biodiesel blending
mandate announcement this week. Corn futures also rose on bullish biofuel news,
with the EPA on Wednesday announcing waivers to allow the sale of E-15
nationwide through the summer, bolstering ethanol blending demand. Wheat
futures were also higher on Wednesday. In geopolitical news, Iran rejected a
15-point U.S. proposal to end the war in the Middle East, with the two sides
reportedly very far apart on demands. Crude oil futures fell on Wednesday
despite little convincing evidence thus far that a ceasefire is on the
immediate horizon. Still, the notion that some level of negotiating has taken
place was enough to push equities higher at midweek.

Rhett Montgomery
DTN Lead Analyst

GENERAL COMMENTS:

   May corn closed up 4 3/4 cents and July corn was up 5 1/4 cents. May
soybeans closed up 16 3/4 cents and July soybeans were up 16 1/4 cents. May KC
wheat closed up 13 3/4 cents, May Chicago wheat was up 7 3/4 cents, May MIAX
Minneapolis wheat was up 9 1/2 cents.