1.   And if smaller crop yields force farmers to put off buying new equipment, cities like Fargo and Bismarck that are centers for farm supply businesses will be affected.

2.   Bad weather, spreading diseases and low international prices last year contributed to the smaller crop, he said.

3.   A smaller crop in Argentina could send more buyers to U.S. shores to compete for limited supplies.

4.   A smaller crop would force processors to bid higher for available supplies and withdraw cocoa from warehouse inventories.

5.   A smaller crop could result from late planting, recent minor frosts and the variability of field conditions for the harvest, traders said.

6.   A smaller crop translates into less wheat to export.

7.   A smaller crop would force processors to bid higher for available supplies and use cocoa now in warehouse inventories.

8.   A smaller crop estimate could reduce that even further, traders said.

9.   A smaller Russian crop increases the prospects for Russian purchases of U.S. grain.

10.   A smaller crop from Ivory Coast would come at a time of robust demand.