CHICAGO: Chicago corn futures rose for a second straight day on Tuesday after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the condition of US crops deteriorated last week following rain.
Soybeans turned lower on forecasts for a window of warmer and drier weather that could accelerate planting by some Midwest farmers, potentially boosting supplies this autumn.
Hot weather in Europe continued to support wheat following strong gains on Monday.
Corn and soybean traders remain focused on US weather following historic rains this spring that stalled seeding of both crops.
Updated forecasts suggest farmers may have a chance to plant more soybean acres this week ahead of the next wave of storms.
"This small patch of nice, warm weather has led some farmers to think about planting the rest of their soybeans," said Terry Reilly, senior commodities analyst at Futures International.
In its US crop conditions report after the market close on Monday, the USDA said 96pc of corn is planted as of Sunday and 77pc of soybeans. At the same point last year, all US corn acres and 93pc of soybeans were planted.
"It's a possibility that the remaining 4 million acres of corn left may not be planted," said Karl Setzer, market analyst with Agrivisor.
The USDA also rated 56pc of the US corn crop in good-to-excellent condition, down from 59pc last week and behind market expectations of 59pc.
Some 54pc of US soybeans were seen in good-to-excellent condition, below expectations of 59pc.
Chicago Board of Trade July corn futures rose 2-3/4 cents to $4.49-1/2 a bushel by 11:20 a.m. CDT (1720 GMT).
CBOT July soybeans fell 3/4 cent to $9.08-1/4 a bushel.
Markets were underpinned by some optimism that the United States and China may move toward resolving a year-long trade war when the two countries' leaders meet at the G20 summit in Japan later this week.
But expectations for a trade breakthrough were low.
"It's certainly a wild card," said Reilly, adding that it is likely that no resolutions will come of it.
Easing US winter wheat conditions and worries about a heat wave in west European crop areas including France and Germany supported wheat prices.
There are also concerns about hot weather in top exporter Russia.
The USDA said 61pc of US winter wheat was in good-to-excellent condition, down from 64pc last week.
CBOT September wheat rose 3/4 cent to $5.43-1/4 a bushel after earlier touching a one-week high.
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