CBOT corn ends weaker as US crop rating improves

CHICAGO, July 8 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade corn futures finished lower for a second consecutive session on Tuesday as U.S. crop ratings improved and weather conditions looked favorable, traders said.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture said after Monday's market close that 74% of the nation's corn crop was in good or excellent condition, up 1 percentage point from a week earlier and the highest for this time of year since 2018.

• A lack of extreme heat is expected to limit major stress on crops in the coming weeks, Commodity Weather Group said in a forecast.

• Many farmers are pleased with the near-term weather outlook, given moderate to warm temperatures and scattered rain chances.

• In Argentina, one of the world's top grains suppliers, farmers are set to favor corn over soy in the upcoming 2025/26 season, the head of the major SRA agricultural association said.

• CBOT December corn CZ25 finished down 6-1/2 cents at $4.14-1/4 a bushel.