Chicago agricultural commodities settle mixed

CHICAGO, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains closed mixed on Tuesday, with corn futures falling despite a government report showed slow planting pace of U.S. corn.

Wheat futures rose on bargain buying with additional support stemming from a U.S. Department of Agriculture report that showed wheat ratings well below last year.

Soybean futures also were higher, with technical buyers stepping into the market after Monday's decline. But gains were kept in check by concerns about new developments in a trade tension between the United States and China.

The most active corn contract for May delivery fell 2.25 cents, or 0.59 percent to close at 3.8025 dollars per bushel. May wheat delivery went up 4 cents, or 0.87 percent to close at 4.6625 dollars per bushel. May soybean delivery added 4 cents, or 0.38 percent to close at 10.46 dollars per bushel.

CBOT floor brokers report that funds on Tuesday have sold 3,400 contracts of soybeans and 3,900 contracts of corn, along with buying 900 contracts of wheat.

As for weather patterns, snow was falling Tuesday morning across the eastern U.S. lakes with low temperature being reported. The cold will linger into the weekend, and limited central U.S. spring planting will occur this week, according to the National Weather Service. Enditem