Episode 272: First Look at the 2026 Ag Weather Forecast

The 2025 DTN’s Ag Summit has just wrapped up, with farmers from across the country convening virtually to discuss the year that was, the year ahead, and the key issues affecting their operations. Forecasts for weather and market in the year to come were, as always, a top issue, and today on the podcast we’re dropping in to hear the latest. Today, we’ll listen in on DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick’s 2026 seasonal forecast, where he’ll take a closer look at the winter conditions so far, and give us insight on what might be around the corner. We’ll hear the latest on how the ongoing La Nina is shaping current systems, when we should keep an eye out for the impacts of polar vortexes, and how the combination of the two might shape drought conditions throughout the winter and planting timing come spring. We’ll get a region-by-region outlook on winter and spring conditions, and then John will offer insight on what the models predict about the summer of 2026. Finally, we’ll dig into the weather patterns in Latin America, how Brazil and Argentina in particular are fairing, and what still might change in the coming months for our chief competitors.