Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures closed mixed Monday wih wheat futures rose 1.2 percent and hit their highest level since mid-February on concerns about dry conditions hampering crop development in the U.S. Plains.

Falling production in Australia and strong export data also lent strength to the wheat market, which closed in positive territory for the fourth time in five sessions.

The most active corn contract for May delivery fell 2.25 cent, or 0.59 percent, to 3.785 dollars per bushel. May wheat delivery rose 5 cents, or 1.10 percent, to 4.585 dollars per bushel. May soybeans fell 0.25 cent, or 0.02 percent, to 10.3725 dollars per bushel.

In the outside markets, the Brent crude oil market is 0.19 dollar per barrel lower, the U.S. dollar is higher, and the Dow Jones Industrials are 58 points lower.

Jason Roose, U.S. Commodities grain analyst, says traders were preparing for this week's government report.

"A risk off trade today in the corn market with position trading ahead of March 9th USDA crop report. There are still negative supply fundamentals in the soybean complex. Any sign of corn losing demand would cause more weakness going into spring," Roose says.

Concerns about early emergence of U.S. winter wheat leaving the crop vulnerable to a cold snap in the next few weeks also were bullish.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday reported that weekly export inspections of wheat totaled 535,920 tons, near the high end of market forecasts.

Heavy rains and muddy roads have slowed shipment of recently harvested soybeans from Brazil but demand was expected to shift to South America as the weather improves.

"Transport delays are only a temporary disruption," said Tobin Gorey, director of agricultural strategy at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. "The crops themselves are doing just fine and will find their way on to market sooner or later."