By Robyn Joubert
La Niña recently helped the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index to pop up by 10 points in the fourth quarter of 2024. But what is the La Niña weather system, and how can it benefit the 2024/25 agricultural season? John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, answers our questions.
Q: What is La Niña?
A: La Niña is a more favourable weather outlook that usually brings more rain and cooler temperatures to South Africa. This is good for farming, especially in rain-fed regions.
Q: How do farmers benefit from La Niña?
A: If La Niña fully materialises, it usually offers the following benefits:
- More rain improves soil moisture levels and water availability, which is crucial for crop growth. It also refills water sources such as dams and rivers, ensuring a steady supply of irrigation water.
- Cooler temperatures reduce the stress on crops and livestock, leading to better crop yields and healthier animals.
- La Niña can help lessen the risk of drought, which is a significant concern for South African farmers, especially in arid/dry regions.
Q: When did La Niña kick in?
A: La Niña started around September to November and usually lasts for about nine to 12 months, but sometimes longer. After La Niña, the weather pattern changes to El Niño, which brings warmer and drier conditions. This can lead to droughts and makes farming more difficult.
Q: Is La Nina fulfilling expectations?
A: In some regions, La Niña is showing signs of delivering the expected rainfall and cooler temperatures. However, in other areas La Niña has not fully materialised yet, resulting in some grain producing areas experiencing severe high temperatures with patchy rain. The rainfall has been less than expected, and some regions have not seen the anticipated improvements in water availability. This variability means that while some farmers are benefiting, others may still be facing challenges. We will need to watch the weather closely over the next three months to fully ascertain whether the La Niña season has been experienced in South Africa.
Also read: Good weather put farming in good mood
