CHICAGO: US corn futures fell to contract lows on Tuesday on forecasts for crop-boosting rain and milder temperatures in the heart of the US corn belt, with three-quarters of the nation's crop already in good-to-excellent shape.
Wheat futures tumbled more than 3 percent on dull export demand and improving spring wheat crop conditions.
Soybeans rebounded from early lows, but remain under pressure from trade tensions with top buyer China and expectations for a sizable US harvest.
The US Department of Agriculture lowered its crop condition ratings for corn and soybeans only slightly in the latest week. Ratings for both crops remain near historical highs.
"Soybeans and corn are being weakened by positive US crop conditions seen by the USDA while the US-China trade war is also undermining soybeans," said Matt Ammermann, commodity risk manager at INTL FCStone.
Traders looked beyond forecasts for above-normal Midwest temperatures this weekend as cooler, wetter weather was expected in the six-to-10-day outlook. Much of the Midwest corn crop will be pollinating in the coming weeks, a period when stressful weather can limit yield potential.
Chicago Board of Trade September corn futures were down 8-1/2 cents, or 2.4 percent, at $3.45-1/4 a bushel by 12:49 p.m. CDT (1749 GMT) after hitting a contract low of $3.44-1/4. July 2018 through July 2019 contracts all set life-of-contract lows.
CBOT August soybeans were down 2-1/2 cents at $8.53-1/4 a bushel.
CBOT September wheat fell 16-3/4 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $4.91-1/4 a bushel, dipping below its 200-day moving average.
Spring wheat ratings in the USDA's weekly crop conditions report were above trade expectations, fuelling expectations that the agency may boost its US wheat production forecast in a monthly report later this week.
Sluggish export demand also weighed on wheat as major importer Egypt bought 175,000 tonnes from rival supplier Russia in a snap tender.
The USDA is expected to begin cutting forecasts for US soybean exports and increasing projected stockpiles as the trade war with top soybean importer China disrupts shipments.
"The US-China trade dispute is dragging on, adding uncertainty to the market," Ammermann said. "The US soybean harvest is expected to arrive in about three months and basically no one knows what China wants to do about its imports.
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