“It’s still very early and I think people are panicking,” said Suffolk farmer Tom Bradshaw.

Although combining was stopped this morning Fletcher Farm, Colchester had escaped the worst of the weather, he admitted.

Mr Bradshaw had however cut 80ha (200 acres) of 200ha (500acres) of Excalibur, out of a total 400ha (1000acres) oilseed rape, and output looked good.

The remaining Catalina looked “exceptionally well.”

Stems staying greener for too long meant moisture content was quite high.

His winter wheat seemed promising and he expected to start on it in 10 days.

With an estimated 7% of hisl harvest already in the barn, he was further forward than the same time last year, so he was happy with overall progress, despite the weather.

*Harvest Highlights 2007 is sponsored by RAGT