After a double-dip La Niña in 2022 and 2023, we were relieved to see El Niño return to start 2024, bringing us back a mild winter and more moisture. After a few years of heavy drought, farmers breathed a sigh of relief. However, it was soon announced that we were looking at a short-lived El Niño, and that there was a good chance that La Niña was going to return in force. And that is exactly what she did. Now she does normally bring a little more milder summers, but she also brings cold winters and dry conditions. That is not something that farmers are looking forward to. Her effects are already being felt.
Eric Snodgrass is the Principal Atmospheric Scientist at Conduit Ag, and he talks about the fact that La Niña is firmly in place.
Snodgrass says that even though some places saw heavy snowfall earlier in the month, it will not be enough to counter the trend that is already underway.
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says that the impacts of La Niña are being felt In full force across much of the country.
Snodgrass talks about what would need to happen to see a reversal of this trend.
This is a situation that the ag industry, and especially the markets, will be closely over this new growing season.
