11.   Wheat futures were pressured by slow exports and beneficial rain in hard red winter wheat growing areas.

12.   With the beneficial rain, a plentiful Plains crop is ensured, unless unusually cold spring kills plants or summer rains slow the harvest, traders said.

13.   Beneficial rain was forecast for this weekend in Brazil and Argentina, the second- and third-largest soybean producers, where crops are thriving.

14.   Corn and soybeans futures prices sank on prospects for beneficial rain this week.

15.   Corn and wheat futures prices again dipped to their lowest levels in years on weather forecasts calling for beneficial rain this week and mild temperatures in major growing regions.

16.   Corn futures prices retreated Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade on forecasts for beneficial rain in Midwest growing areas, while wheat and soybean futures prices finished mixed.

17.   Forecasters predict the Midwest will be spared damaging frost through the end of September, and will receive some beneficial rain, virtually guaranteeing a good harvest.

18.   Gains were limited by forecasts for beneficial rain in Brazil and Argentina, the largest soybean producers after the United States.

19.   Most meteorologists expect cooler temperatures and beneficial rain in the key corn-and-soybean region next week.

20.   Soybean futures weakened for a second day, partly on news of additional beneficial rain in soybean-growing areas of Brazil.