Choose a dryland performer in 2026
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Dryland cotton options with CSD

Cotton is a popular dryland summer crop. Current varieties, improvements in technology and trait advancements have simplified the process for growing dryland cotton, reducing production risks and allowing for greater flexibility in planting windows, pupae busting and refuge requirements. 

Dryland cotton offers

  • one of the best gross margins for summer cropping
  • benefit in your rotation to a broadleaf crop to provide disease and weed break
  • advancements in biotechnology to make weed and pest control simpler and more flexible.  

Rewarding gross margins

Weed and pest control

Flexibility

Less risk

Marketing opportunities

Why other growers grow dryland cotton

Learn how CSD varieties are making an impact on-farm. Hear from growers Luke von Pein from Macalister, Qld, and Rowan Bennett, Jimbour Qld speak on their experiences.

Dan Skerman of Skerman Farming talks through the advantage of growing CSD’s new varieties in a dryland operation. CSD’s Agronomist Larissa Holland, based at Dalby, explains the evolution of the technology and why it’s a good fit for growers.

Case studies

Case study: Kupunn, Darling Downs

Siokra 253B3XF & Sicot 761B3XF Try Before You Buy

Case study: Jimbour, Darling Downs

Sicala 320B3XF, Sicot 761B3XF, Siokra 253B3XF, Sicot 619B3XF & Sicot 748B3F Try Before You Buy

Case study: Macalister, Darling Downs

Sicot 743B3XF & Sicot 748B3F Try Before You Buy

Case study: Chinchilla, Darling Downs

Sicot 619B3XF, Siokra 253B3XF, Sicala 320B3XF & Sicot 743B3XF Try Before You Buy

Case study: Blackville, Upper Namoi

Sicala 320B3XF & Siokra 253B3XF Try Before You Buy

Variety choices

Resources

Cotton Production Manual 2026/27

Go to Chapter 4

8 golden rules for dryland cotton

Acres of Opportunity website

Dryland Cotton Guide

Acres of Opportunity website

Cotton gross margin budgets

CottonInfo website

Making raingrown cotton pay

Presentations at the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference

New thoughts on raingrown cotton

Presentations at the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference

Optimum planting times & configurations for each region

CSD’s Mick Bange at the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference

New ways to manage weeds in raingrown cotton

CSD’s Natalie Aquilina and Gus MacLennan (Bayer Crop Science) at the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference