US wheat rises amid fears of crop damage

Wheat rose on speculation that cold weather in parts of the US next week will damage crops from Texas to Ohio.

Temperatures may as low as -26 degrees Celsius as far south as southern Kansas from January 13 and last for three days, said Fred Gesser, a senior global meteorologist.

A lack of snow to protect crops will increase the risk of damage, said Gesser.

CBOT wheat futures for March delivery rose 4.75 cents or 0.8 percent to US$6.18 per bushel at 12.48 pm.

Wheat is the fourth largest US crop, valued at US$13.7 billion in 2007, behind corn, soy and hay, according to government figures.