GRAINS-Chicago grains subdued as war uncertainty weighs

BEIJING/PARIS, March 26 (Reuters) - Chicago corn and wheat futures ticked lower on Thursday while soybeans were steady as traders monitored developments in the Middle East amid mixed signals from U.S. and Iran, and awaited fundamental cues from U.S. planting and biofuel announcements.

The most-active corn contract Cv1 on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) was down 0.2% at $4.66-1/4 by 1241 GMT. CBOT wheat Wv1 eased 0.5% to $5.95 a bushel, while CBOT soybeans Sv1 added 0.2% to $11.74-1/2 a bushel

Prices had risen in the previous session, supported by uncertainty over negotiations to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Doubts over a swift end to the conflict kept crude oil prices firm on Thursday, helping push soyoil BOv1, widely used for biofuel, higher.

However, a rise in the dollar =USD, as well as caution ahead of widely expected U.S. agricultural news, kept grains and oilseeds in check.

"Beyond the statements of Donald Trump, who continues to blow hot and cold on the energy markets and, by ricochet, on those of grains, operators are awaiting several events," Argus Media analysts said.

Traders are watching for a possible announcement of revised U.S. biofuel targets at a White House event on Friday.

Attention is also turning towards U.S. Department of Agriculture acreage estimates next Tuesday, with rising fertiliser and fuel prices due to the Middle East war heightening interest in farmers' planting decisions.

The soybean market is also assessing prospects for further Chinese demand, after Wednesday's news that U.S. President Donald Trump will now visit Beijing on May 14-15 in a rescheduled trip.

The news helped push soybeans higher on Wednesday, reviving speculation about fresh Chinese purchases as part of trade negotiations.

However, analysts remain cautious given China's shift towards Brazil in recent weeks as the South American country wraps up an expected record harvest.

"Some traders are optimistic that the meeting would raise the prospect for continued China buying of U.S. soybeans, but it's worth noting that China has shifted to purchasing most of its soybeans from Brazil since last year," said a Beijing-based analyst.

The wheat market continued to monitor drought in the U.S. Plains, with forecasts now showing limited chances of rain before early April and hot weather expected this week, which is likely to exacerbate dryness.