Wheat is higher for a sixth straight day after a government report showed that export demand for U.S. wheat was stronger than expected last week.

On Thursday May wheat surged 14.75 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $7.2475 a bushel.

The price of wheat had fallen to the lowest in eight months at the start of March as winter storms brought moisture to the Plains region, boosting the outlook for this year's crop.

Corn also advanced, gaining 6.25 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $7.1650. Soybeans declined.

Trading in metals was mixed, with gold and copper rising, and silver, platinum and palladium declining.

In energy trading, benchmark oil for April delivery was up 51 cents to end at $93.03 a barrel.