# Farmers brace for El Niño after dry October | Waikato Times

> Hamilton and Taupō recorded their third driest October on record, and forecasters warn of a possibly record-strong El Niño. Waikato farmers say feed reserves are good after a strong winter. Forecasters expect warmer temperatures and strong winds from November to January.

- Date: 2026-11-02 · published 2026-11-02T21:19:12.179Z
- Category: weather · region New Zealand · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/76109-farmers-brace-for-el-nino-after-dry-october-waikato-times
- Commodities: [Corn](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CORN.md), [Soybeans](https://feedsoft.ai/c/SOY.md), [Wheat (SRW)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/WHEAT.md), [Palm Oil](https://feedsoft.ai/c/PALMOIL.md)

## Why it matters

A dry summer in New Zealand could cut pasture growth and push up feed costs for livestock producers. Strong sheep and beef prices may cushion the effect, so the impact on global feed markets is limited.

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CORN | 2026-05-01 | ["Super” El Niño Talk Grows: What It Means for U.S. Farmers](https://feedsoft.ai/events/19634-super-el-nino-talk-grows-what-it-means-for-u-s-farmers.md) | -1.4% | +0.1% |
| CORN | 2024-11-04 | [Warm and Dry — But Enjoyable — October](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13136-warm-and-dry-but-enjoyable-october.md) | +2.5% | -0.9% |
| CORN | 2019-06-11 | [Ag weather disasters: Help on the way for farmers](https://feedsoft.ai/events/58579-ag-weather-disasters-help-on-the-way-for-farmers.md) | +6.2% | +3.2% |
| CORN | 2026-09-29 | [El Niño 2026/27: the signals SA farmers should look out for](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17401-el-nino-2026-27-the-signals-sa-farmers-should-look-out-for.md) | -4.3% | -8.8% |
| CORN | 2023-03-15 | [Farmers watching the clock for drought buster - Brownfield Ag News](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13290-farmers-watching-the-clock-for-drought-buster-brownfield-ag-news.md) | -0.6% | +0.8% |
| SOY | 2023-09-26 | [After historic drought, El Niño rains pose new hurdle for Brazil’s farmers](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13625-after-historic-drought-el-nino-rains-pose-new-hurdle-for-brazil-s-farmers.md) | -1.6% | -0.8% |
| SOY | 2024-11-04 | [Warm and Dry — But Enjoyable — October](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13136-warm-and-dry-but-enjoyable-october.md) | +3.5% | +0.3% |
| SOY | 2019-06-11 | [Ag weather disasters: Help on the way for farmers](https://feedsoft.ai/events/58579-ag-weather-disasters-help-on-the-way-for-farmers.md) | +6.3% | +2.8% |

## Sources

- waikatotimes.co.nz: https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/361109676/farmers-brace-el-nino-after-dry-october

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.