This is the first of our region's dryland variety trials planted into good moisture early October 25. The wind break on western end of field have impacted the first 20-30m. Once away from that pressure things are looking good. The stubble has greatly assisted with protecting the emerging seedlings. Being an early planting before winter harvest the crop absorbed high thrip pressure. Early season sucking pests over time became a visual issue that did not impede or slow crop development down. When this occurs squaring generally starts at nodes 9-10 with the first position retention for the first 2-3 never great. The plant compensates. I don't believe in the case of this site this year we lost time it just never rained enough being the larger driver of the outcome. Late October was windy and remained dry into November. The 22nd of November was the first worthy rain event being around 23mm. Flowering commenced at around day 65 in early December. Soon after the farm saw on the 11th of December a fall of about 40mm. The next substantial fall was on the 3-1-26 of 20mm. This assisted with accumulating yield via bolls actually set but really was too late to allow any further growth to accumulate more yield. In total in crop rain of 169mm was recorded. A complete reversal of opportunities to the previous year. Siokra 253 B3XF is showing up as the most efficient variety for the available water in the end by a good margin. There has been no penalty for low mic in doing so.