Farmers have been busy working on putting this year's crop in the ground.

Provincially 9% of the crop is in the ground compared to the five year average of 19% for this time of the year.

Shannon Friesen, a Crops Extension Specialist with Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture, says seeding is most advanced in the Southwest at 18%, the Southeast is 15% while most other areas are at about 3%.

She says dryness is a key concern right now adding that it would be nice to see a good rainfall.

"Provincially at the moment topsoil moisture on cropland is rated at a 3% surplus, 67% adequate, 25% short, and 5% very short," she said. "On hay land and pasture, it is 2% surplus, 55% adequate, 31% short, and 12% very short. A lot of short to very short top soil moisture is coming from the south in particular that southeast region."

She says there are still some very dry spots around Weyburn, Regina and Moose Jaw and that pastures have been slow to green up and some cattle producers continue to supplement their animals feed.

With the dry conditions around the province, there have also been multiple reports of grass and stubble fires in the region due to the dry field conditions.

The crop report also shows a significant jump in the number of farm machinery coming into contact with electrical equipment.

SaskPower reports 25 cases in the last week, bringing the total for this month to 27.

Friesen says it's important to be aware of your surroundings:

"We want to remind farmers that farm safety is of the utmost importance and that they are taking time to know where their lines are and that their equipment is not going to come into contact with it, both in the field and in the yard."

SaskPower reports that most farming-related incidents happen during seeding and spraying.