El Niño drought strains livestock in Puerto Rico and farms in Argentina

In Puerto Rico, the livestock sector—especially beef and dairy cattle—has been hit hardest by the El Niño‑driven severe drought, according to former farmers’ association leader Héctor Cordero. Reduced rainfall has limited pasture growth, forced producers to buy hay and other feed, and contributed to a sharp drop in school‑milk purchases.

In Argentina’s Entre Ríos province, the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) has issued technical recommendations to help producers cope with intense rains and flooding linked to the same El Niño event. The guidance emphasizes pre‑emptive drainage, infrastructure protection and agronomic practices to limit crop loss, soil damage and rural‑road degradation.