May 1, 2009 For the week ending April 26, favorable conditions allowed corn planting to advance quickly, according to USDA'sNational Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska FieldOffice.

Corn planting was 27% complete, a week ahead of last year's 8% and four daysahead of the 18% average.

Wheat condition rated 0% very poor, 3% poor,24% fair, 61% good, and 12% excellent, above last year's58% good or excellent condition. Fourteen percent of the wheat had jointed, ahead of last year's 11% but eight days behind the 32% average.

Oats planting increased to 86% complete, ahead of last year's78% and near the 85% average. Thirty-four percent of the crop had emerged, well ahead of last year's 26% but behind the 44% average.

Alfalfa conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor,21% fair, 70% good, and 7% excellent, above last year's70% good or excellent condition.

Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 4% poor,23% fair, 67% good, and 6% excellent, above last year.