Rainfed or dryland cotton grown in the 550 to 600 mm. per year rainfall regions of northern N.S.W. and southern Qld. is a profitable summer crop alternative. The rainfall distribution tends to be slightly summer dominant while suitable soil has plant available water capacity of 1 00 to 140 mm. of water. The variability of in crop rainfall especially during late December and January co-incides with the maximum water needs of the crop, thus good sub-soiJ moisture is essential to reduce the risk of crop failure. In addition, soil surface in the crop needs to be rough with open cracks, or have a stubble cover to capture high intensity rain especially on sloping areas.