1.   Crop ratings have steadily declined as a result of the dry weather.

2.   Kansas City and Chicago wheat futures prices closed higher Tuesday, while improved crop ratings and favorable growing weather sent corn and soybean futures lower.

3.   The rains came too late to affect Agriculture Department crop ratings to be released later today, traders said.

4.   The USDA will release its weekly crop ratings after markets close today.

5.   Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures soared to nearly six-week highs, mostly on heavy buying by local traders and talk of lower winter wheat crop ratings.

6.   Corn futures finished higher in the wake of lower crop ratings and weather concerns.

7.   Corn jumped on the opening after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released weekly data showing a significant decline in crop ratings in the week ended Sunday.

8.   Corn futures prices were pushed lower by a slight improvement in the U.S. corn crop rating.

9.   Corn prices declined despite a smaller-than-expected improvement in crop ratings.

10.   Corn futures climbed sharply in early dealings Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade, spurred by an unexpectedly large decline in crop ratings.