By Gary Wulf
   Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES


  SUPERIOR, Neb. (Dow Jones)--Prices were mixed on the U.S. cash grain market
Thursday.

  U.S. winter wheat futures closed about 1-3 cents lower, even as soybeans
extended a rally to 9-month highs with additional cash-contract gains of more
than 20 cents a bushel. Corn and spring wheat futures also rose 5 1/4 cents and
7 1/2 cents, respectively.

  "The very tight old-crop [soybean] stocks continue to be supportive," said
Doane Agricultural Services. "Weakness in the dollar and strength in the stock
market is also encouraging some commodity fund buying."

  Export basis bids for cash corn and soybean basis were stronger on the
Louisiana Gulf cash grain market Thursday, with USDA relaying gains of up to 2
cents in spot CIF bids for both commodities as of midday, as river barge
traffic waned.

  The movement of loaded vessels downstream through Mississippi River lock #27
totaled just 40 barges Thursday, equaling less than one-third of traffic levels
seen as recently as Monday. While shoaling has hampered upstream navigation,
USDA reported Thursday that "the lower Mississippi River is still experiencing
high water. Barges travelling under bridges in Vicksburg, MS, Greenville, MS,
and Baton Rouge, LA, are required to transit during daylight hours to avoid
striking the bridges."

  After weeks of high water, levees along the Illinois River are also
saturated, causing the Coast Guard to issue a no-wake zone for segments of the
river, requiring barges to travel slow enough so their wake will not damage the
vulnerable levees.

  Domestic basis was uneven Thursday, entering the day-trading session with
daily gains for corn/spring wheat and declines for grain sorghum and soybeans.

  "The Gulf posted a 3-cent improvement for the week, and should keep river
terminal markets bidding for corn in the coming week," said Kevin McNew of Cash
Grain Bids Inc. "Corn should start to see more improvement, as flat to weaker
futures will likely keep farmers holding tight to old-crop stocks."
   Crop Weather

  Warm, dry weather dominated the Pacific Northwest, southern Plains and Deep
South Thursday, contrasting against cool, wet weather across the remainder of
the U.S. grain belt.

  "Cool weather is slowing corn/soybean emergence and growth across the upper
Midwest. Meanwhile, rain is hampering soybean and late-season corn planting
activities in the central/eastern Corn Belt," said USDA meteorologist Brad
Rippey. "A few readings below 40 degrees Fahrenheit were noted again this
morning on the northern Plains, where summer crop emergence and development
remains sluggish."

  Wetness remains a concern with respect to Delta crops such as rice and
unharvested winter wheat, as well.

  "A slow-moving frontal boundary will remain the focus for widespread showers
and locally severe thunderstorms from the central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic
states," forecasted Rippey. "During the weekend, drier air will temporarily
overspread the Mid-Atlantic states, but showers will continue on the central
Plains and spread into the Southeast."