August valley summaries from CSD agronomists

Ginning is continuing and will run until late September. There are still some fields left to be picked, with many modules still on farms. The quality and yields of these later fields will have dropped given the amount of rain that has fallen since defoliation, with over 150mm recorded near Narromine since the start of May 2026. Overall, cotton quality has generally been very good so far due to a dry pick.

Burrendong Dam has risen to 30% from recent inflows, having sat at 28% for several months. There have been no official general allocation amounts released so far, though as in the past, access to any carryover water amounts will remain available. Upstream, Windamere Dam on the Cudgegong River is at 83% of capacity, with plans in place for a bulk water release downstream to Burrendong Dam.

CSD, in conjunction with Hutcheon and Pearce are holding a planter workshop at Elders Trangie on Tuesday 8^th September 2026. It will be an opportunity to learn what to check and possibly replace planter units leading up to planting. This session is one of several being held in cotton regions and is part of the FastStart™ initiative. To register visit csd.net.au/events

Two CSD Seed, Sales and Technical updates were held in Macquarie Valley. One in Warren and one in Narromine in June. Both meetings were very well attended, and participants were updated on trial results, commercial offerings and variety information. Further information is available on the CSD website.

The Macquarie Cotton Growers Association Annual Awards event will be held at the Trangie Golf Club on Friday 18^th September 2026. Going on past events, this will be worth attending, and families are welcome. The association donated $2,000 to the Macquarie Homestay in Dubbo, which provides accommodation for regional patients undergoing medical treatment in Dubbo so they don’t have to travel daily.

A series of Cotton Catchups is planned for the 2026- 27 season, starting early in the season as part of an Area Wide Management program. These will focus on early season seedling disease and managing red soils, with plant samples collected for testing where issues are suspected. These informal group meetings offer a great opportunity to catch up and discuss how things are going, with cotton and industry researchers are available to speak on relevant topics.

Winter crops are progressing well after many were planted a little later than usual. Very mild conditions have allowed them to catch up, aided by good rain events supporting development. Most fields that are planned for cotton next season are in good condition. Weed control and good ground preparation will be key priorities to help being able to plant on time.

By the time you are reading this newsletter, the Australian Cotton Conference will be drawing to a close and preparations for the 2026–27 cotton season will be reaching the pointy end.

Looking back at the season just completed, both plantings and production were well down on recent years, although broadly in line with the figures forecast at the beginning of the season.

Across the Riverina region, including Hillston, the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray districts, 47,369 hectares were planted to cotton, producing an expected 458,000 bales of lint, at an average yield of 9.7 bales per hectare.

In terms of area, this represents slightly more than half the plantings of the previous two seasons, while production is slightly below half. The average yield of 9.7 bales per hectare is just shy of the long-term average of 10 bales per hectare and aligns with both early yield predictions of an 11.5-bale crop and the estimated yield losses associated with two key pinch points during the season.

The first was the unseasonably cool and windy conditions experienced across Riverina growing districts during November. The second was the period of extreme heat following the Australia Day holiday, when all districts experienced a week of maximum temperatures in the mid-40s, ranging from 43°C to 47°C. Experienced agronomists, consultants and growers were of the view that these two events were responsible for yield losses approaching two bales per hectare.

The season was also characterised by low in-crop rainfall of less than 100 mm and above-average temperatures, with average temperatures across most districts at least 2°C above the long-term average.

Furthermore, the accumulation of 1532DD temperatures from January to March was well above 7,000, with several centres recording totals in excess of 8,000 1532DD. This accumulation of 1532DD temperatures between January and March is one of the strongest predictors of cotton micronaire quality.

While these conditions may result in a small number of bales falling outside specification due to high micronaire, it is generally a better outcome than having too many bales below 3.5 micronaire, which is invariably the case during cooler finishing seasons.

As a snapshot, deliveries representing approximately 11% of expected Riverina production, or around 52,000 bales, currently show the following breakdown:

**G6 & G7 (high micronaire):** 2,252 bales, or 4.3%
**G5 (base grade):** 49,407 bales, or 95%
**G4 & G3 (low micronaire):** 341 bales, or less than 0.5%

Let’s hope quality continues along these parameters.

Looking ahead to the 2026–27 season

Looking to the coming season and upcoming events, CSD, in conjunction with Hutcheon & Pearce, will be running two planter workshops on Wednesday, 9 September. These will be held at Elders Hay in the morning and at Dallas and Liz Stott’s property at Whitton in the afternoon. Further details and invitations will be sent out in August.

Discussions around planters will be timely and serve as a useful reminder that, regardless of the conditions we are facing in the Riverina this year, the basic rules do not change.

Planters need to be fit for purpose, while seeding depth, seedbed quality and soil temperatures on a rising plane from 15°C onwards are all critical to successful crop establishment.

One of the advantages of being a CSD member is access to the CSD/Syngenta Soil Temperature Network and FastStart tools available through the CSD website. These are highly valuable resources, providing growers with the opportunity to monitor how soil temperatures are progressing and how conditions are translating into optimum planting scenarios.

Water outlook

The Murrumbidgee now has a General Security (GS) allocation of 16%. For growers who still have a full carryover, this equates to a 28% allocation, while Coleambally is currently at 38%. Murray irrigators have a 5% GS allocation.

For Murrumbidgee irrigators, the current allocation provides growers who committed to a full winter crop program with the opportunity to finish those crops. The impact on summer crop intentions will depend on any additional inflows between now and September.

Given the October planting window, growers will need a degree of confidence around water availability before committing to cotton plantings for the coming season.

Burnett
The Burnett cotton region has now successfully completed harvesting, with the majority of picked cotton already transported to local gins for processing. With the season wrapped up, growers have quickly turned their focus toward preparation for the next crop. Pupae busting operations are nearing completion across the region, forming a critical part of integrated pest management strategies. At the same time, soil testing has been widely undertaken, enabling growers to assess nutrient levels and inform fertiliser planning. Many are already in the process of developing and applying fertiliser programs tailored to their paddock requirements.

Encouragingly, the area has received some favourable winter rainfall, which has provided good soil moisture profiles. This has presented an opportunity for some growers to plant winter crops following cotton harvest, and depending on how seasonal conditions continue to develop, this may act as a catalyst for incorporating more diverse crop rotations into farming systems, potentially reducing reliance on continuous cotton production. However, a number of growers are still preparing for another full cotton planting, reflecting confidence in the crop.

Results from the 2025/26 season have also generated strong interest in the new varieties containing XtendFlex. Many growers are keen to trial these new options on farm to better understand their performance, herbicide tolerance, and overall suitability before committing to a full-scale adoption. There are still some trial crops awaiting ginning, which is expected to be completed in early July; these results will provide further valuable insights.

Lockyer Valley
In the Lockyer Valley, cotton picking has also completed, and growers are now well advanced in their ground preparation for the next season. Recent rainfall has been beneficial, helping to break down clods and improve soil structure, which is contributing to the formation of a well-prepared seedbed.

Seasonal outcomes across the valley have been mixed. Irrigated cotton crops generally delivered average yields, with performance impacted by extended periods of wet and cloudy weather. In contrast, dryland crops recorded some excellent results. Dryland trials achieved strong yields, with averages around 6.2 bales per hectare and top results reaching approximately 6.5 bales per hectare, although fibre quality data is still pending.

Looking ahead, growers are beginning to consider early seed orders while also finalising crop rotation decisions. With another full water allocation anticipated, there is optimism for a strong cotton season ahead. Notably, the new varieties containing XtendFlex have performed well in both irrigated and dryland conditions in the valley, further driving grower interest in these genetics as they plan for the coming season.

As things stand, the dry run looks set to continue. Locally, dam levels are sitting at 47% for Glenlyon and 42% for Pindari. Coming out of a very dry harvest means moisture profiles aren’t building sufficiently in most fallow fields ahead of summer, which won’t help when it comes to establishing this year’s crops. Patience will be needed as we all wait for a turnaround.

Seedbed preparation is well advanced, with most ground now pre fertilised. How this plays out in terms of nutrient efficiencies is likely to remain an ongoing conversation between farm agronomists and logistics. Excessive prior crop residues in the seedbed should be monitored at this time. Breakdown relies on moisture, good soil contact, and some warmth, so this may warrant treatment and appropriate action. Keeping the seed trench free of barriers will help support strong emergence and a successful start.

For most the winter cropping program isn’t fully in yet, which could set us up for bigger than normal summer crop opportunity. Prices for 2026-27 cotton have been hovering just above $600. Our plant breeders have also made strong progress on fibre length and micronaire. I’d encourage you to check out the various dryland variety trial results from this past summer on the CSD website.

The 2025–26 cotton season has now concluded across the Gwydir Valley, bringing to a close what has been one of the hottest summers experienced in more than a decade. Growers managed crops through 83 days above 35 degrees, well above the ten year average of 62. These persistent hot conditions shaped crop development throughout the valley and influenced several fibre characteristics observed at ginning.

Despite the challenging summer, yields have been remarkable. Many irrigated crops finished strongly, delivering excellent results and generally sound fibre quality. Dryland fields also produced pleasing outcomes where rainfall arrived at the right time. Colour has been a standout in early picked fields, with ginning reports noting strong turnout percentages and classing results showing good length and strength across most fields.

Micronaire has been a particular point of discussion this season. The valley is widely planted to Sicot 606B3F and the micronaire story has been consistent, with high micronaire occurring consistently in a low proportion of bales. The extended run of hot days is likely to have contributed to this development. While most crops maintained acceptable micronaire ranges, the season has highlighted the influence of sustained heat on fibre maturity and reinforced the importance of variety choice and crop management under hotter seasonal trends.

New varieties Sicot 757B3XF and Sicala 320B3XF have demonstrated fantastic fibre packages this season. Both are gaining adoption from vertically integrated growers whose marketing arms are able to extract value from their premium fibre traits, particularly their outstanding fibre length. These results are strengthening confidence in the next generation of varieties and encouraging broader consideration of their fit across the valley.

CSD Seed, Sales and Tehcnical meetings held in Moree and Mungindi delivered outstanding presentations consisting of commercially ginned and detailed statistical analysis of the HiD files from this season’s trial picking, which generated strong engagement from growers. The Mungindi meeting was a highlight, with the community coming together to share their experiences with the new varieties and compare them to the current standard, Sicot 606B3F. The open discussion and collective evaluation of variety performance highlighted the strength of grower networks across the region and the strong support provided by CSD’s technical agronomy team.

Planning for next season is already underway. A FastStart Cotton Planting for Success Workshop is scheduled for the 20th of August at the Moree John Deere dealer site, providing an opportunity to refine planting setup and equipment performance ahead of spring. Bed preparations across the valley are progressing well, with growers positioning themselves for a smooth start to the 2026–27 season.

The Darling Downs cotton season has now drawn to a close, with growers having completed picking and turned their attention to preparations for the next crop. Ginning operations have progressed smoothly across the region, supported by dry conditions through early autumn. These conditions contributed to strong fibre quality outcomes across much of the valley, with good colour grades and minimal weather-related damage evident in the early-picked crops. 

Not all growers experienced an uninterrupted finish, however. Late winter showers delayed those still picking, slowing progress and affecting lint quality in some areas, with instances of discolouration and increased leaf contamination reported. Even so, the overall quality profile for the Downs remains solid, reflecting a generally favourable season through harvest. 

The XtendFlex variety trials program has delivered great results this year, with the highest yield recorded on the Downs from variety trials exceeding 17 bales per hectare. This result was achieved on Terry Ryan’s property near Bowenville, where Sicot 743B3XF performed outstandingly under an overhead irrigation, a system the variety appears well suited to. It’s a timely reminder of how much yield potential rests on matching variety selection to irrigation method. 

Another standout this season, and one to watch ahead of its roll out next year, is CSX 1257B3XF, soon to be commercially released as Sicot 757B3XF. This variety has consistently ranked among the top performers in multiple trial programs, delivering competitive yields across both irrigated and dryland conditions. In addition to its adaptability, it has shown favourable fibre characteristics, often producing strong length and desirable micronaire levels, making it an attractive option for growers aiming to balance yield and quality. 

Preparations for the next planting season are well underway. Growers are actively conducting soil testing and refining fertiliser programs, particularly as nitrogen prices have recently eased, allowing for more flexibility in input planning. Even so, planting forecasts are currently lower than this time last year, primarily due to a moisture deficit following a dry summer and autumn period. Subsoil moisture levels will be a key factor influencing final planting decisions in the coming months. 

Several key industry events are scheduled for the Downs in the lead-up to planting. A FastStart Cotton Planting for Success workshop is scheduled for 20 August in Nandi, offering practical insights into optimising planting operations for the season ahead. Register on our website csd.net.au/events 

Across the Northern Territory, harvest is now underway on this year’s dryland cotton crops. Late season conditions to date have generally been favorable for defoliation and harvest. Early indications suggest yields probably aren’t quite meeting expectations, a consequence of another above average wet season that brought extended periods of wet, overcast weather. Irrigated crops continue to progress well, despite quickly becoming an attractive host as the surrounding landscape browns off in the Northern Australia dry season. Northern Cotton has delayed the commencement of this season’s ginning, with an anticipated start date of the 20 July, aimed at compressing the processing of dryland crops, later picked irrigated crops and Ord Valley cotton into a single ginning period.  

To date, no variety trials have been picked. As these come off and yield and classing data become available, growers and industry will be able to view these results on the CSD website at https://tools.csd.net.au/growerinformation/trials/variety.  

In Western Australia, the Ord Valley continues to experience favorable dry season conditions, setting up a strong finish to this season’s cotton crop. By mid-July, Kununurra had only recorded one night below 10 degrees, minimising the impact of cold shock temperatures, and allowing crops to grow through the winter months. Daytime temperatures remain excellent, with crops now onto their final irrigations. These conditions have also been welcomed by growers with late crops planted in the first few days of April, which avoided the waterlogging experienced through March and, as a result, are trending towards a more even crop with better retention in the lower canopy compared to early sown crops.   

Sicot 606B3F continues to be the dominant variety across the Ord Valley. However, interest continues to remain high in varieties containing XtendFlex® technology particularly with the benefit of additional herbicide options in-crop to allow control of glyphosate resistant weeds such as barnyard grass and tridax daisy. Siokra 253B3XF and Sicot 761B3XF both look to be performing well across the valley. Additionally, from the variety trials, new varieties Sicala 320B3XF and Sicot 757B3XF have generated considerable interest with many across the industry keen to see the final results from these trials.  

Keep an eye out for CSD emails and social media with dates soon to be announced for the Northern Australia Seed, Sales and Technical meetings where further details and up to date data on variety performance will be shared.