DTN Closing Grain Comments    12/26 13:45
   Ag Markets Surge Higher in Post-Christmas Trade

   Ag markets came out of the gate strong as traders who returned to their
screens after Christmas were obviously well rested and ready to hit the buy
button on commodities, generating an overall green day across the board for ag
markets. Outside market influence was largely mixed with equity markets trading
both sides of even, while commodities such as gold and crude oil were mixed
with the former stronger but the latter slightly down. The U.S. Dollar Index
was also softer Thursday which offered support to ag commodities.

Rhett Montgomery
DTN Lead Analyst

GENERAL COMMENTS:

   March corn closed up 5 1/4 cents and May corn was up 5 1/2 cents. March
soybeans closed up 16 cents and May soybeans were up 17 1/2 cents. March KC
wheat closed up 7 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 6 1/4cents, March
Minneapolis wheat was up 5 cents.