Spring seeding is steadily progressing in Saskatchewan.

Province-wide, 38 percent of the spring crop is in the ground, with the southwest leading the way at 56 percent of the crop seeded.

That’s compared to 44 percent in the southeast, 35 percent in the west-central, 34 percent in the northwest, 24 percent in the east-central, and 22 percent in the northeast.

Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Matt Struthers notes there wasn’t much precipitation reported over the past week.

“Very little, but the area of the province that did see moisture was the southwest, ranging from the Consul and Maple Creek area all the way to Val Marie, and there was upwards of 25 millimetres reported in the Admiral area.” Struthers said.

In a news release, the province says the Shaunavon and Rockglen areas reported receiving 20 mm, while little to no precipitation was reported in the other regions of the province.

Struthers says crops that have been seeded so far, are slow to emerge, due to cool temperatures and little soil moisture.

The province also says there are concerns of fires in both cropland and pastures due to the dry conditions, and several R.M.s have issued fire bans.

Farmers are reminded to be careful while operating machinery and equipment that have the potential to spark or get very hot.