CBOT wheat eases as USDA releases crop data

CHICAGO, April 22 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures ended slightly lower on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar fell and winter wheat conditions were shown declining, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• CBOT July soft red winter wheat WN25 settled down 2 cents to $5.50-1/4 per bushel.

• K.C. July hard red winter wheat KWN25 ended down 5-1/2 cents to $5.58-1/4 a bushel and Minneapolis July spring wheat MWEN25 fell 3-3/4 cents to settle at $6.10-1/4 a bushel.

• The USDA reported 45% of winter wheat was in good or excellent condition in a weekly crop report after crops in the Plains have struggled with dryness. Analysts on average expected a rating of 47%. A year ago, half of the crop was rated good or excellent.

• For spring wheat, planting was 17% complete, exceeding the five-year average of 12% and analysts' estimates for 13%, the USDA said. A week ago, 7% of the crop was planted.

• The dollar hovered around multi-year lows versus the euro and the Swiss franc on Tuesday as President Donald Trump's attacks on the Federal Reserve raised concerns about the central bank's independence.

• Doubts about Fed independence threaten the dollar's value as a reserve currency, with analysts noting possible divestments from what many consider over-exposure to U.S. assets.

• A weaker dollar makes U.S. exports cheaper and more competitive on the global market.