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 | Macquarie | Trial No. 2026078
Sicala 320B3XF & Sicot 761B3XF Try Before You Buy
‘Newhaven’, Narromine NSW
Key takeaway
- Sicala 320B3XF looks like a great option for the region.
- Both varieties grew out of Thrips’ damage.
- Sicala 320B3XF needed a bit more season to mature over the Sicot 761B3XF.
System
Irrigated
Solid 1m
Rainfall
79.3mm with 23mm effective
8 irrigations (7.5ml)
Top yield
15.48 b/ha
Sicala 320B3XF
Trial snapshot
| Trial No. | 2026078 |
| Planting date | 10 October 2025 |
| Picking date | 25 May 2026 |
| Varieties | Sicala 320B3XF & Sicot 761B3XF |
Season & field summary
The trial was planted under good conditions and then came under considerable thrips pressure. Both varieties grew out of it, into a season that delivered little effective in crop rain. Defoliation and picking happened under good conditions.
*Yields presented are from truck weights and 25 saw gin averages.
Rob Tuck and Sicot 619B3XF, under lateral at ‘Newhaven’.
We’ve been trying varieties with XtendFlex® for three years but this was out second year full XtendFlex®. Love the technology and the options. Our channels are the cleanest they’ve been in years and we now have options to control fleabane. You know the best thing about it? Our neighbours love it, because it gives them options for fallow weed control and we’re seeing a lot less 2,4-D drift.
We’re liking the look of the new variety. It had a better fruit load into cut out, although was slightly behind the Sicot 761B3XF in terms of maturity. Looking forward to seeing what the gin reports, but I believe the Sicala 320B3XF will come out on top.
Trial results
TBYB yield results from ‘Newhaven’, Narromine NSW. Results are from picker weights, adjusted for gin weigh bridge and using turn out from CSD 25 saw gin.
Yield & fibre quality comparison
| Variety | Yield | Staple length (imp) | Strength (g/tex) | Micronaire | Lint turnout (%) |
| Sicala 320B3XF | 15.48 | 1.28 | 34.2 | 3.8 | 43.0 |
| Sicot 761B3XF | 13.84 | 1.27 | 33.9 | 4.3 | 42.3 |
Agronomy insights
The season had some challenges with early thrips pressure, a hot period late January during flowering and little effective in crop rain. Growth of both varieties was kept in check with 20ml of mepiquat at flowering and there were a couple of late season mirid sprays. Defoliation used three passes and the crop was picked under great conditions.
Fit & management considerations
Although waiting for commercial ginning information, the analysis of the picker weights and 25 saw ginning reflects what has been seen elsewhere in the Macquarie this season – Sicala 320B3XF delivers yield and quality in the region.
The varieties containing XtendFlex® have given ‘Newhaven’ opportunities to clean channels, control fleabane and opened up fallow control options for their neighbours.
