Stoneville BXN^® cotton has been genetically engineered for resistance to Buctril herbicide, providing an over-the-top method of broad leaf weed control. Three methods have been used to develop BXN^® varieties that are agronomically adapted to a wide range of environments: direct selection, backcross breeding, and pedigree breeding. Direct selection is the generation of a large number of gene insertions (events) by Agrobacterium transformation and identification of superior genotypes. The primary usefulness of direct selection is in the rapid production of agronomically acceptable strains and introduction of the BXN^® system (Buctril herbicide and BXN^® varieties). Selection among and within events has resulted in lines with significant improvements over the Coker varieties that serve as transformation source plants. To increase the range of adaptation of BXN^® strains in a reasonable time frame, backcross breeding has been utilized aggressively. Selection of early generation backcross BXN^® segregates resulted in the identification of several strains that exhibited equivalent yield to ST LA887, DPL51, and ST453. Lastly, conventional pedigree breeding was initiated as a long term approach to further broaden the BXN^® genetic base without the constraints associated with repeated crosses to recurrent parents. The three breeding methods have been interconnected by sharing of germplasm as sources for parents in crossing.