Project overview
The Australian cotton industry is transitioning to varieties containing XtendFlex®, which are tolerant to glyphosate, dicamba, and glufosinate. For rainfed growers, this offers new weed control options but also raises questions about how to best use these technologies under dryland conditions. This project was designed to help growers and agronomists test, learn, and share real-world management strategies for successful adoption.
Through a network of regional agribusiness partners and participating growers, the project delivered on-farm demonstrations across key cotton-growing regions. Case studies explored practical herbicide programs, crop safety, and integration with residual and knockdown strategies.
This grower-led initiative has improved confidence in XtendFlex systems and generated valuable insights into effective herbicide rotations that reduce resistance risks, improve flexibility, and support sustainable rainfed cotton production.
Outcomes and achievements
- Delivered regional case studies and field demonstrations across Upper and Lower Namoi, Moree, and Goondiwindi
- Validated double-knock strategies (glyphosate + Xtendimax followed by glufosinate) for managing grass and broadleaf weeds
- Confirmed that early, well-timed applications are critical for crop safety and weed control success
- Improved grower confidence and understanding of Xtendimax label requirements and temperature limitations
- Building an industry-wide knowledge base to support XtendFlex-only variety transition from 2025 onwards.
.
Key contributors and partners
Project status
- In progress
Contact
Natalie Aquilina
Extension and Development Agronomist Namoi
Cotton Seed Distributors
naquilina@csd.net.au
© Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd 2025. General guide only; not comprehensive or specific technical advice. Circumstances vary from farm to farm. To the fullest extent permitted by law, CSD expressly disclaims all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information, statement or opinion in this document or from any errors or omissions in this document. ThryvOn™, XtendFlex®, Roundup Ready Flex®, Roundup Ready®, Bollgard II® and Bollgard® 3 are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technologies LLC, used under licence by Monsanto Australia Ltd. Insect control technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialised under a licence from Syngenta Crop Protection AG. Sicot, Sicala, Siokra and Sipima cotton varieties are a result of a joint venture research program, Cotton Breeding Australia, conducted by CSIRO and Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD). CSD is a partner in the CottonInfo joint venture, in partnership with Cotton Research Development Corporation and Cotton Australia.