DTN Closing Grain Comments    12/24 12:30
   Soybeans Show Holiday Spirit by Leading Row Crops Higher in Shortened
Christmas Eve Session

   The soybean market found active buyers Wednesday, posting double-digit
holiday gains while corn and wheat prices were higher as well, albeit in a very
low-volume, shortened trading day. Fresh fundamental news was slim on the
holiday, with USDA offices closed and no impactful reports released. Outside
markets saw equities firmer, riding a bullish wave following
stronger-than-expected U.S. GDP growth reported Tuesday. Energy markets were
mixed, correcting slightly following a run-up in recent sessions on rising
Black Sea tensions. Lastly, the U.S. Dollar Index was firm Wednesday, primarily
on higher interest rate ideas as inflation concerns remain alive and well and
may put future cuts by the Federal Reserve in doubt, with of course a sense of
market uncertainty stemming from the upcoming appointment of a new chairman of
the Fed by President Trump.

Rhett Montgomery
DTN Lead Analyst

GENERAL COMMENTS:

   March corn closed up 3 1/2 cents and May corn was up 3 1/2 cents. January
soybeans closed up 11 3/4 cents and March soybeans were up 12 3/4 cents. March
KC wheat closed up 6 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 4 3/4 cents, March MIAX
Minneapolis wheat was up 1 1/4 cents.