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El Niño Advisory 2026/27

Season advisory

El Niño Advisory 2026/27

A below-normal rainfall season is manageable with the right variety, the right planting date and disciplined moisture conservation. Here is what we recommend.

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What it means for your field

Plan for a shorter, less reliable rainfall window

El Niño years typically shift the onset of rains later and increase the chance of mid-season dry spells. The single biggest lever a farmer controls is variety maturity length.

  • Adjust your planting window

    Wait for at least 25 mm of effective rain before planting, and avoid planting long-season hybrids after the normal cut-off date. If you miss the window, switch to an ultra-early variety rather than planting late with a late line.

  • Conserve every millimetre

    Basin planting, mulching with crop residue, contour ridging and reduced tillage all extend the number of days your crop can survive between rain events. Weed early | weeds compete for water before they compete for nutrients.

  • Spread your risk

    Split your land between two maturity classes, and consider a sorghum or cowpea block as an insurance crop. Reduce seeding density slightly on sandy soils to lower total crop water demand.

Young corn plants growing resiliently in dry, cracked soil

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Read and download the latest seasonal outlooks, agronomy guidance and practical recommendations from Seed Co.

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