* March hit $539.80, the highest price for a nearby contract on a continuous chart since Oct. 17.

* Stronger Canadian dollar capped canola's gains.

* Total market open interest on Thursday reached about 184,300 contracts, the highest in 4-1/2 months, before slipping modestly on Friday.

* March canola gained $3.50 at $538.80 a tonne on volume of 6,875 contracts.

* May rose $4.60 at $542.50 on volume of 6,558 contracts.

* March-May spread traded 3,174 times, settling at a May premium of $3.70.

* Chicago March soybeans climbed 23 US cents to US$12.52 per bushel. March soyoil gained 0.52 cent to 53.05 US cents per lb.

* MATIF May rapeseed gained 0.7 percent.

* The Canadian dollar was trading at $0.9988 against the US dollar or US$1.0012 at 1:46 p.m. CST (1946 GMT), up from Friday's finish at $1.0028 to the US dollar, or 99.72 US cents.

* US light crude oil settled up US$2.24 at $100.91 per barrel.

* Canada crop belt bracing for drought.

* Greek austerity vote lifts euro, shares.

* Exporters sell US soybeans to unknown for '12/13.