Chicago soybeans futures traded firmer at $12.27, supported by private forecast cuts to U.S. yields. Market watchers are factoring in crop stress indices, suggesting possible upside if planting rates lag historical averages in key producing states. Darin Johnson, president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, last month warned that the protracted trade dispute between the U.S. and China would put pressure and financial strain on farmers this harvest if the situation did not change. Crude oil price slide pauses after major fire at southern California refinery… A large blaze broke out after an explosion at a Chevron Corp. refinery in Los Angeles County, according to CBS News and reported by Bloomberg . Firefighters responded after multiple reports of an explosion at the El Segundo operation, south of Los Angeles airport, on Thursday evening.According to the company website, the El Segundo refinery, built in 1911, supplies 20% of all motor vehicle fuels and 40% of the jet fuel consumed in southern California. Crude oil prices are slightly up in early U.S. trading, after slumping to a four-month low of $60.40 in Nymex futures on Thursday. Current soybeans futures prices are consolidating near $12.20, with technical charts showing resistance at the $12.40 level and support at $12.