CHICAGO, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural futures rose across the board on Thursday, led by wheat.

       The most active corn contract for July delivery rose 14.25 cent, or 1.84 percent, to settle at 7.8825 U.S. dollars per bushel. July wheat soared 28.25 cents, or 2.69 percent, to settle at 10.7825 dollars per bushel. July soybean gained 15.75 cents, or 0.93 percent, to settle at 17.095 dollars per bushel.

       CBOT grains were higher on rising risk of drought in Central United States. Chicago-based research company AgResource looks for investors to seek the safety of cash or another alternative. Supply is needed to stem inflation, but interest rate hikes will try to slow demand. Supplies will continue to fall.

       U.S. FOB wheat export prices are the cheapest in the world. U.S. corn and soybean crop ratings are expected to decline in the coming weeks with European/Central U.S. weather forecasts flashing drought risks. AgResource stays bullish.

       AgResource learnt from EU grain traders that searing heat across France, Germany and Italy is producing acute stress and lowering winter wheat/barley yield potential during reproduction.

       The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that for the week ending June 9, U.S. exporters sold 8.7 million bushels of wheat, 11.7 million bushels of old crop and 15.0 million bushels of new crop soybeans, and 5.5 million bushels of old crop and 5.5 million bushels of new crop corn.

       An intense/expansive high pressure Ridging is projected across Central United States. The forecast is dry for the next six days with a few isolated lite showers following. Heat will hold for another 2-3 days before subsiding. A below normal rainfall trend persists with the Central Plains/South Central Midwest dry. Weather concern stays high.