CBOT corn retreats from 16-month high on profit-taking

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade corn futures finished lower on profit-taking on Wednesday, as the market retreated from a 16-month high, traders said.

• Expectations for an increase in U.S. corn plantings this spring hung over the market.

• Recent rallies are encouraging farmers to plant more acres of corn at the expense of soybeans, which look less profitable, traders said.

• Farmer sales also weighed on futures, as selling increased after the most-active contract Cv1 topped $5 a bushel on Tuesday, brokers added.

• CBOT March corn CH25 fell 4-1/2 cents to close at $4.97-1/2 per bushel.