TL;DR
- PhytoGen PHY 357 W3FE and PHY 433 W3FE lead 2026 West Texas planting with breakthrough yields (+50 lb/acre in OVTs) and elite staple (up to 1.22")
- Deltapine DP 2618 B3TXF and DP 2635 B3TXF excel in dryland and irrigated High Plains.
- Expect 800–1,200 lb/acre irrigated, better gin throughput via cleaner modules.
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Why Variety Choice Drives West Texas Profits
West Texas High Plains cotton—dryland or irrigated—demands varieties that deliver tonnage under 20" rain, resist Plains stresses (wind, heat, fleabugs), and produce clean lint for efficient ginning. 2026 brings PhytoGen and Deltapine standouts tested in Lubbock/Plainview OVTs, boosting yields 5–10% over 2025 benchmarks while maintaining HVI premiums.
These picks tie directly to gin economics: longer staple and lower non-lint content (see our non-lint effects post) cut cleaning costs and speed bale press lines, per construction cost breakdowns.
PhytoGen Leaders: PHY 357 W3FE and PHY 433 W3FE
PhytoGen's duo—bred for Cotton Belt breadth but West Texas proven—dominate early OVT chatter.
- PHY 357 W3FE (ex-PX1140F331): Early-mid maturity, won Mississippi OVT by 54 lb/acre; High Plains trials show 900–1,100 lb/acre irrigated. Elite vigor for dryland seeding, strong fiber length (38+ staple), low micronaire under stress. Gin bonus: minimal trash, smooth module flow.
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PHY 433 W3FE (ex-PX1150F360): Mid-full, ties top staple at 39–40 (1.22"), ideal for export premiums. Consistent top-3 yields across Southeast to Plains; bacterial blight tolerance fits sporadic West Texas outbreaks. Cleaner profile eases dryer loads.
Broad adaptation suits stripper/stripper combos; Corteva winter nurseries accelerated these for 2026 speed-to-market.
Deltapine "West Texas Tough" Picks: DP 2618 B3TXF and DP 2635 B3TXF
Bayer's Class of '26 emphasizes NPE grower votes (80%+ approval) and Plains-specific traits.
- DP 2618 B3TXF (ex-24R6522): Early maturity for northern High Plains (Lubbock north), strong terminal, bacterial blight resistance. Dryland fit with seeding vigor; fiber package holds under drought. Gin-friendly: storm-proof bolls reduce dirt intake.
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DP 2635 B3TXF (ex-24R6535): Mid-maturity, outstanding HVI (length, strength), central/southern Texas target but viable irrigated Plains. Blight shield plus yield stability; 80% NPE buy-in signals farm-proof reliability.
Builds on DP 2537 B3TXF's yield step-change; "made in West Texas" testing ensures local punch.
Other Contenders: FiberMax, NexGen, and Carryovers
- FiberMax FM 2320 GLTP: 2025 carryover shines in dryland (800+ lb/acre), low-gin trash king.
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NexGen varieties (e.g., NG 5125B3X): Nematode resistance for sandy rotations.
Texas A&M/San Angelo trials flag storm resistance as 2026 must-have post-hail seasons.
Yield and Gin Impact Comparison
| Variety | Maturity | Irrigated Yield (lb/acre) | Staple (32nds) | Gin Trait | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHY 357 W3FE | Early-Mid | 950–1,150 | 38–39 | Low trash, vigor | Dryland/Irrigated |
| PHY 433 W3FE | Mid-Full | 1,000–1,200 | 39–40 | Elite length, clean | Irrigated/Export |
| DP 2618 B3TXF | Early | 850–1,050 | 37–38 | Storm-proof | Northern Dryland |
| DP 2635 B3TXF | Mid | 900–1,100 | 38+ | Blight resistance | Central Irrigated |
Lower non-lint (2–4%) across these slashes variable gin costs $2–5/bale vs. trashier older lines.
How to Pick Your 2026 Mix
- Soil/rotation scout: Sandy? Prioritize nematode tolerance (DP/NexGen).
- Water regime: Dryland leans PHY 357/DP 2618; pivot goes PHY 433/DP 2635.
- Gin feedback: Test module samples for trash/staple; link to profitability guide.
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OVT check: Lubbock/Plainview data drops spring 2026; seed early for May plant.
Co-ops bulk-buy for discounts; independents chase premiums via variety-specific contracts.
2026 Seed Strategy Takeaways
Plant 2026 stars for 5–15% yield bumps and gin efficiencies that compound in co-op vs independent models. West Texas stays king with tech-tuned varieties matching global demand (per outlook post). Order now—top seeds can sell out.
