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The cotton industry is evolving – climate, market demand, management processes and technology advancements necessitate Australian growers and CSD to remain on the front foot, growing a high-quality product that’s sought after, sustainable and profitable.
That’s why we’ve invested in developing new varieties, built for the conditions you face. The Try Before You Buy trials arm you with local variety performance data and insights to help inform your on-farm decision making and plant new seed varieties with confidence.
2026 Season | Gwydir Valley | Trial No. 2026105
Siokra 253B3XF, Sicot 606B3F, Sicala 320B3XF &Sicot 757B3XF Try Before You Buy
‘Getta Getta’, North Star NSW
Key takeaway
- Water use efficiency planted single skip under a pivot.
- Understand air movement throughout the different leaf shape types.
- Monitor boll rots as the crop starts to open.
- Understand the change in environment for silver leaf white fly.
System
Irrigated, pivot
Single skip
Rainfall
191mm
Top yield
11.72 b/ha
Siokra 253B3XF
Trial snapshot
| Trial No. | 2026105 |
| Planting date | 4 November 2025 |
| Picking date | 29 April 2026 |
| Previous crop | Corn |
| Varieties | Siokra 253B3XF, Sicot 606B3F, Sicala 320B3XF and Sicot 757B3XF |
Season & field summary
For the most part the outcome was not duly influenced by in crop rain. Prior three crops have been corn because of the high incidence of various strains of Verticillium Wilt. The incidence of Verticillium Wilt this past season was lower than the past.
2025/26 was near clinical for us in Pivot 1. Emergence was always going to be an issue dealing with the previous years corn stubble. Planting proceeded early November. All lines emerged as equals. This always helps with the outcome achieved.
While there were robust conversations around the need if any for Mepiquat during the growing stages I don’t feel it was required until the crop was cut out. Reducing any stress’s is important to us as in our minds as where not wanting to encourage any disease. By the season end in the lowest area it was about but not prevalent.
Overall March was very kind to us. The farms objectives to better understand our options in years of reduced water have been understood better.
Trial results
TBYB yield results from ‘Getta Getta’, North Star NSW. Results are from LDC MAC2, Goondiwindi.
Yield & fibre quality comparison
| Variety | Yield | Staple length (imp) | Strength (g/tex) | Micronaire | Lint turnout (%) |
| Siokra 253B3XF | 11.73 | 1.22 | 34.2 | 4.2 | 48.2 |
| Sicot 606B3F | 11.60 | 1.19 | 34.6 | 4.8 | 43.2 |
| Sicala 320B3XF | 11.36 | 1.27 | 35.1 | 4.2 | 43.2 |
| Sicot 757B3XF | 10.91 | 1.27 | 35.2 | 4.3 | 43.0 |
Agronomy insights
Single Skip configurations allow for deeper light penetration which assists with improved photosynthesis. The extra benefits of additional air movement help with both crop temperatures and reduced incidences of boll rot etc. Under over head irrigation water use efficiencies mean we have more control over how much water is available in the soil profile. We see these benefits with Okra shaped leaf types such as Siokra 253B3XF come on.
Fit & management considerations
Growers will need to consider some water losses are expected from ground surface evaporation as the ground cover between the rows diminishes in time.
Opportunities to apply crop inputs remain open for a longer period of time. This can also be said of foliar applied nutrition which in crop will likely provide for higher efficiency rates.
Drone technologies are assisting with being able to apply inputs while watering the crop where the foliage is dry or will remain dry for sufficient uptake.
