And there is a historical tendency for US grain prices to drift higher on the first full trading day following Christmas.

Furthermore, the few remaining traders on the floor this week have been increasingly focussed on reports that La Nina is strengthening in the Americas.

This could be seen as a threat to corn and soybeans in South America and wheat in the US southern Plains.

Wheat prices to the end of last week had little choice but to follow corn and soybeans higher, aided by positive chart signals and a weaker $US.

Chicago traded to its highest level since October 9, while Kansas City tested resistance at its November 4 high.

Chicago March wheat probed briefly above $6, but was unable to close above the pivotal resistance level and closed for the weekend on $5.99, but that was up nearly 3pc on the last trading day.

As such, a test of that level should be the first order of business for the wheat market this week (Monday night Aust time).

Kansas City March wheat moved firmly above $6 in last week's activity.

Near-term wheat fundamentals really aren’t that strong, but traders know that wheat could find itself on the short end of the stick if it fails to compete for US crop acres this spring.

Furthermore, weather conditions around the globe are less favourable than they were a year ago, from a US perspective, leaving traders concerned once again about global stocks that remain relatively snug.

In the US, much of the focus remains on the southern Plains, where moisture has been short for much of the past couple of months.

Traders remember well how adverse weather created massive shortages two years ago that led to record US wheat price highs last US winter.