DTN Closing Grain Comments    03/18 13:45
   Wheat, Corn Rally on Firm Energy Markets, Falling HRW Ratings

   U.S. row-crop futures rebounded again on Wednesday, slowly recovering losses
from Monday's rout. Grains led the way Wednesday with wheat showing particular
strength on compounding bullish influence from rising energy market risk as
attacks against energy infrastructure have ramped up this week across the
Middle East, as well as a conditions outlook which is growing more concerning
for U.S. hard red wheat amid widespread drought. Soybeans joined the rally,
with most of the upside momentum occurring in deferred futures, as old-crop
prices remain subdued by Monday's shift in trade sentiment. In other news, the
Federal Reserve voted on Wednesday to hold interest rates steady, a move which
was widely anticipated given the inflationary effects of a shock to energy
markets.

Rhett Montgomery
DTN Lead Analyst

GENERAL COMMENTS:

   May corn closed up 9 1/4 cents and July corn was up 9 cents. May soybeans
closed up 4 3/4 cents and July soybeans were up 5 1/4 cents. May KC wheat
closed up 19 1/4 cents, May Chicago wheat was up 14 1/2 cents, May MIAX
Minneapolis wheat was up 13 cents.