Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) cotton extension officer Susan Maas, Emerald, said the irrigated cotton was looking good and had not been impacted by rain over the past week.

"For some flood-affected growers, a good crop this year will be critical to getting them back to the position they were in before the flood," she said.

About 3000ha has been planted north of Clermont and about 750ha of irrigated cotton has been planted in the Big Bend on the McKenzie River.

About 2500ha of dryland cotton was planted at the Big Bend, but some missed rain and will not be picked.

"Crops (at Emerald) are nearing cut-out and fruit loads are good," Ms Maas said.

"Insect pressures have been low - in fact many crops made it to Christmas without getting sprayed. Growers are taking a soft approach to insect pest management this year in order to preserve the beneficial insects.

"If there are no unforeseen circumstances, picking could start in late February or early March."

Ms Maas said for some dryland cotton the rain had come too late.

"For others it will probably make a significant difference to the harvest," she said.

Irrigated crops suffered some water logging, but forecasts for fine weather this week should fix that.

Ms Maas said secondary pests such as mirids were seen but not prolific early in the season, so most growers didn't spray. Cowpea aphids were also detected but not sprayed.

She said the warmer weather since Christmas had produced more aphid, silver leaf whitefly, mealybug, and two-spotted and broad mite numbers.