Minneapolis Grain Exchange to close trading floor

Minneapolis — (AP) - The days of floor trading are coming to an end at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange.

The Exchange says it will close its floor trading Dec. 19 because of the trend nationwide toward electronic trading.

The exchange says the shift has been dramatic in the last 12 months.

The Minneapolis exchange is one of only four in the U.S. that offers the hard red spring wheat contract.

The grain exchange opened in 1881.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)