Spot basis bids for corn and soyabeans were steady to firm at processors and elevators around the US Midwest on Monday, grain dealers said. Dealers said there was not much activity coming from farmers as prices were too low to encourage them to sell any grain.
US regulatory data released after the close of trading on Friday showed speculative investors trimming 74,109 short corn futures contracts in the week ended January 26, a figure some traders considered a larger-than-expected round of short covering. Forecasts for rains early next week in dry growing regions in Argentina also were seen as bearish for corn prices, the traders said. Additional pressure from forecasts for improving weather in Argentina's crop belt, including much-needed rains in the six- to 10-day outlook.