Environment Southland general manager strategy and regulation Hayley Fitchett says Southland farmers should prepare now for a wetter-than-normal season under a possible strong El Niño.

Principal scientist of hydrology, Chris Jenkins, says El Niño typically brings 10 to 14% more annual rainfall to the region, with some months running 25% above the monthly mean and much of it falling in single events.

Fitchett says get prepared early, advising farmers to head into the pattern with low effluent ponds, careful paddock selection, and low-rate irrigation where it is unavoidable.

Flood risk also climbs during El Niño years. Farmers can check their exposure on Environment Southland’s Beacon mapping tool, and Fitchett says wellbeing support remains available through rural support networks.

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