ABC, By: Adrienne Francis, 11/13/2013

Extreme frosts and heavy rain have caused widespread damage to vineyards and grain crops across the Canberra region and southern New South Wales. A survey of grape growers found two-thirds suffered frost damage to their vines last month. Two of those had 22 acres affected, equating to an estimated $500,000 in lost wine sales to each vineyard.

Murrumbateman grower John Collingwood lost 50 per cent of his crop to frost and for the first time is now considering buying fruit from South Australia or Victoria to substitute his harvest. "In agriculture and farming there's high highs and low lows and this unfortunately was one of the lower times," he said. "I know of one person for which this was the straw that broke the camel's back and they have decided to pull out their vineyard." Grain growers like Tony Flanery at Galong are experiencing similar extensive losses.

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