Soy sags 1pct as dollar surges, crude falls

US soybean futures fell 1 per cent on Wednesday as the dollar soared more than 1 per cent while crude oil and precious metals dropped. Corn closed firm on short-covering off of key support at $3.59, the 2010 low, and on corn/soybean spreading after easing early in the trading session on a better outlook for US corn plantings coupled with the dollar rally. The dollar rose more than 1 per cent versus an index of currencies while the euro plunged to a 10-month low as a ratings firm downgraded Portugal, adding to worries over debt sustainability and growth in some of euro zone's smaller countries. US soy for May delivery was down 8 cents per bushel at $9.60, May delivery wheat was down 3/4 cent at $4.76 and corn for May was up 2-1/4 at $3.65.