CHICAGO: Spot basis bids for corn were mostly steady to firm at the majority of elevators and processors across the US Midwest on Monday while soybean bids were mostly unchanged on slow farmer sales as futures prices retreated, grain dealers said.

* In an exception to the market's firm tone, basis bids for corn and soy delivered to a large elevator in Cincinnati eased on Monday.

* Country movement corn and soybeans was slow on Monday morning as futures prices on the Chicago Board of Trade declined.

* Growers are holding grain in hopes that a US-China trade agreement would lift futures prices. Rumors that China may be preparing to make large US crop purchases boosted prices on Friday, but no sales have been confirmed.