Cool weather forecasts may have boosted the crop markets. Concerns about weekend events in the Black Sea region probably gave the grain markets an upward bias today. Traders also seemed to be reacting to cool weather forecasts, since a mid-September frost in northern Corn Belt could hurt corn and bean production. December corn futures closed up 9.5 cents at $3.56/bushel Friday afternoon, while May added 8.75 to $3.77.

The soy complex ended the week on a strong note. The prospect of a massive U.S. soybean crop weighed heavily upon bean and meal futures at midweek. However, Thursday night talk of capping Russian wheat exports also seemed to support the soy complex, as did concerns about a mid-September frost in the northern Corn Belt. November soybean futures advanced 18.25 cents to $10.215/bushel as Friday’s CBOT session wound down, while October soyoil ran up 0.28 cents to 32.28 cents/pound, and October soymeal gained $6.4 to $357.3/ton.

Russian talk likely supported wheat prices. The wheat markets rallied Thursday night in response to a report, later denied, that Russian officials are considering a cap on wheat exports. Bulls may also have been buying ahead of weekend events in the Ukraine-Russia situation and in response to talk that spring wheat quality is deteriorating. December CBOT wheat settled 5.0 cents higher at $5.3525/bushel Friday, while December KC wheat climbed 8.25 cents to $6.285/bushel, and December MWE wheat bounced 3.5 to $6.115.

Cash strength spurred fresh CME cattle gains Friday. Beef packers paid up for fed cattle late this week, with the sizeable increase in bids apparently topping industry expectations. Talk of persistent seasonal strength probably added to the bullishness in the Chicago market. October live cattle futures jumped 2.70 cents to 159.75 cents/pound at their Friday close, while December futures leapt 2.43 to 160.92. Meanwhile, October feeder futures vaulted 2.37 cents to 224.37 cents/pound, and January feeders rallied 1.32 to 216.55.

Cash and wholesale gains encouraged hog market bulls as well. Today’s cash market reports confirmed the upward trend in hog values, although pork cutout dipped this morning. Still, the hog/pork industry was clearly anticipating much more strength during the days and weeks just ahead. October hogs spiked 2.97 cents to 105.62 cents/pound in late Friday action, while December soared 3.00 to 95.45.