1.   Condition ratings for both corn and soybeans last week improved as timely rains and only scattered cold temperatures allowed crops to grow to maturity, according to the government.

2.   Elsewhere, corn was steady and soybeans rose after the government issued condition ratings on the crops.

3.   Updates Monday from many corn-growing states indicated much higher-than-average good to excellent condition ratings.

4.   But rain over the weekend gave hope to those who think the crop can recover, and should boost condition ratings.

5.   Expectations for higher crop condition ratings aided the slide.

6.   Improved crop condition ratings in corn helped keep prices in check.

7.   In choppy early trading, soybean prices initially fell on bearish news of improved crop condition ratings, before rallying later in the day.

8.   Investors shrugged off the tendency for a correction and went on a buying spree as the market outlook remained bullish ahead of crop condition ratings due out later Monday.

9.   Soybean and corn prices soared at the open on a significant drop in crop condition ratings and a forecast for more bad weather in U.S. growing regions.

10.   Soybeans slipped on a mixture of harvest pressures and higher crop condition ratings.