El Nino threatens Australian and South American agriculture

The El Nino climate pattern has been officially declared, prompting concern among farmers about the upcoming spring season. In New South Wales, Australia, experts highlighted stark differences in soil moisture across districts, with the South West Slopes well‑positioned while the Goulburn, Braidwood, South Coast and parts of the Riverina face lower moisture levels. They urged producers to use the Farming Forecaster tool, which incorporates CSIRO’s GrassGro model and historical data, to gauge green herbage mass and plan accordingly.

In South America, the chief atmospheric scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions explained that El Nino shifts the jet stream, making northern Brazil’s key growing regions (Mato Grosso, Goiás, Tocantins and areas bordering the Amazon) drier and delaying crop establishment, while southern Brazil and Argentina experience excess rain that also postpones planting. The scientist noted a higher likelihood of planting delays and suggested a possible marketing window for U.S. producers during the harvest season.