On Thursday, hundreds of farmers participated in an ancient ploughing ceremony in Thailand. The Crown Prince presided over the event--in which sacred oxen predicted abundant rains and healthy crops.

Every year, sacred oxen are made to plough a symbolic trench in the soil on royal grounds outside Bangkok's Grand Palace. Then, the oxen choose what to eat from several types of food laid out on banana-leaf platters. This year, they chose the grass.

[Supatra Tanaseneewat, Senior Agriculture Ministry Official]: (female, Thai)
"This signifies an ample water supply and sufficient grains, crops, vegetable and food."

Paddy seeds developed by the King were used in the ceremony.

The ceremony ended with farmers rushing to the Royal Grounds to grab grains of rice.

The seeds are distributed to farmers as encouragement and a good omen, signifying that they will get good crops.

The ancient ploughing procession is a sacred ritual for Thai farmers and is looked at as a blessing ceremony for a healthy yield of crops.

This year's prediction contrasts with forecasts by the country’s meteorological departments. Those forecasts predict a severe dry spell from the El Niño weather phenomenon that may shrink this year's harvest.