Another relatively dry week helped Nebraska farmers complete most of their spring planting chores and get a good start on the first cutting of alfalfa.

Last week, the weather across the state was about five degrees warmer than normal, on average, and precipitation was minimal. That enabled farmers to accomplish a great deal in their fields.

The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service says 98 percent of the state's corn crop has been planted. And about 88 percent of the soybean crop has been planted.

The first cutting of alfalfa is already 20 percent complete. At the same time last year, only about 5 percent of that alfalfa cutting was done.