Field tested. Proven performance. Trusted to deliver.
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 | MacIntrye Valley | Trial No. 2026025
Sicot 743B3XF, Sicot 761B3XF & CSX 1257B3XF Try Before You Buy
Mitch Abbo | ‘Worral Creek’, Talwood QLD
Key takeaway
- Additional assistance with dealing with impactful weeds.
- Advancements in the fibre package show an improved ROI.
- Understanding the opportunity a long season planting window provides in our hotter districts.
System
Irrigated
1m centres
Rainfall
185mm in crop rainfall
8 irrigators
Top yield
15.04 b/ha
CSX 1257B3XF
Trial snapshot
| Trial No. | 2026025 |
| Planting date | 25 October 2025 |
| Picking date | 1 April 2026 |
| Previous crop | Cotton, back to back for 2 years |
| Varieties | Sicot 743B3XF, Sicot 761B3XF and CSX 1257B3XF |
Season & field summary
The 2025/26 season saw an increase of 73 day degree’s for Talwood over the 10 year average. 98 days saw day temps greater than 35 degrees from imbidement to first defoliation. However, the night temperatures were similar to the 10 year average.
The plant stand was very consistent across all three XtendFlex™ lines. All three lines started flowering within days of each other. However, we acknowledge the balance of the field which is what we managed the crop being Sicot 761B3XF matured earlier than the Sicot 743B3XF. The timing of the mepiquat applied at cut out will compromise less determinant varieties. With little interference by rain I felt this trial is a very fair comparison. Boll counts favoured CSX 1257B3XF which ultimately was the highest yield XtendFlex™ line. The fibre package data seen from the commercially ginned cotton is an improvement.
Trial results
TBYB yield results from ‘Worral Creek’, Talwood QLD. Results are from LDC, Mungindi.
Yield & fibre quality comparison
| Variety | Yield | +/- avg | Staple length (imp) | Strength (g/tex) | Micronaire | Lint turnout (%) |
| CSX 1257B3XF | 15.05 | 0.22 | 1.22 | 33.7 | 4.5 | 44.7 |
| Sicot 743B3XF | 14.80 | -0.03 | 1.18 | 32.6 | 4.8 | 44.6 |
| Sicot 761B3XF | 14.65 | -0.2 | 1.23 | 35.6 | 4.9 | 43.3 |
Agronomy insights
Often is the case with back to back cotton establishment sets us up for the season. To improve the establishment the past crops residues need to be sufficiently broken down. The site preparation for this trial achieved this. Well designed and executed nutritional plans with hi recoveries rates often see improvements in yields when growing back to back.
Fit & management considerations
All three XtendFlex™ lines were managed as one crop. The CottonTracka data collected indicated possible different maturity dates.
Longer season lines such as Sicot 743B3XF will see benefits to being planted earlier.
Consider where on the farm each line would suit best on its merits. All of CSD’s XtendFlex™ lines create additional opportunities with your herbicide management strategy. Improvements in fibre quality create additional revenue.
