Frost in the middle of October has South Australian grape and grain growers concerned for their crops.

Many farmers in the wheat belt already experienced significant frost damage in August, and now are facing more.

Agrilink consultant Mick Faulkner says farmers with sandy soil types, and farming on lower ground, are at risk.

"For most of South Australia, the crops are well into grain fill and a lot are finished.

"But for the later areas, particularly in the east of the state...head emergence and flowering and the early stages of grain filling are occurring right now.

"I think those people are going to have some pretty severe damage."

Grape growers worried about frost damage too

Grain growers aren't the only ones worried. Grape vines are also susceptible to frost damage at this time of year.

Some grape growers say frost has burnt off shoots on the vines, but luckily this level of damage hasn't been widespread.

Brett Schutz, from Tim Adams Wines, just outside of Clare, says their vineyard escaped any serious damage as temperatures dipped below zero last night.

"I did speak with other growers and there are a few areas, particularly in the lower lying areas, where they've had a fair bit of damage which will affect that first bud shoot."

This time last year, the Barossa Valley was experiencing severe frosts which hurt yields.

While they've avoided damage this year so far, growers are still on alert.

"Several growers at Ebenezer have installed frost fans," said Nic Robins, viticultural development officer with the Barossa Grape and Wine Association.

"A frost fan moves the warm air around.

"If the frost has settled in a pocket of land that's sloping down, then the frost fan will stir up the warm air and stop the frost conditions from happening."

But Ms Robins says vines in the Barossa are looking good so far.

"The vines are looking good, although we do need a lot more rain soon.

"Most Barossa growers have started irrigating just because, if we don't do that now, we'll be paying in catch-up later on."

Source - http://www.blackseagrain.net/