eCBOT Close/Early Call

eCBOT futures closed lower Thursday with wheat around 3c lower, corn 5c lower and soybeans down 10c.

Falling crude oil prices weighed on the grains complex after a report showed that US consumption averaged 19.5 million barrels a day during the past four weeks, down 6.6 percent from a year earlier, and the lowest since October 2003.

At 13.15 BST November crude was almost $2 lower at $103.91/barrel.

Trading was largely subdued with many participants sitting on the sidelines to await the outcome of the proposed US financial bailout.

In the export market, Egypt is seeking 55,000 metric tons of wheat at a tender today. Japan has cancelled its weekly tender.

Tunisia's state grains agency was tendering to buy up to 117,000 tonnes of optional-origin soft wheat, up to 92,000 tonnes of durum and up to 100,000 tonnes of barley, European traders said.

The corn and soybean markets could also face additional pressure in the weeks ahead as harvest begins, analysts said.

Early calls for this afternoon's CBOT session Corn futures expected to open 4 to 6 lower; soybeans 8 to 11 lower; wheat 3 to 5 lower.