For vine growers, frost is more than just a weather event – it is a source of intense anxiety that can cause irreversible physiological damage and devastating financial losses overnight. However, growers using CropAid AntiFrost are finding peace of mind through a quiet, clean, and simple protection programme.
By spraying ahead of a forecast frost and maintaining coverage through the risk period, growers gain a logistical advantage with predictable per-hectare costs and protection that lasts up to 14 days per application. CropAid AntiFrost is made in England and designed specifically to meet the rigorous demands of modern viticulture.
The science of resilience
CropAid AntiFrost is a biological concentrated liquid containing natural enzymes, minerals and organic material. Supported by ADAS trials in the UK, this biostimulant works by inducing the plant’s natural defences.
- Antifreeze protein production: It stimulates vines to produce their own internal antifreeze proteins.
- Ice nucleation prevention: These proteins provide protection during frost events by preventing ice from forming within the plant tissue.
- Increased tolerance: Research and field results show that AntiFrost increases the natural cold tolerance of crops including vines by up to 7°C below their natural limit.
- Nutrient conversion: After the frost risk passes, these proteins are converted back into essential nutrients, fuelling further growth and vitality.
Key benefits
- Enhanced bud survival: Stimulates the growth of more buds and protects them from late spring “burn”.
- Soil conditioning: Includes nitrogen-fixing bacteria to improve the long-term health of your vineyard soil.
- Increased yield and quality: Promotes better fruit set and overall vine health, leading to a more profitable harvest.
- Organic and ecological: A proven ecological solution that is safe for the environment. Approved for organic use by the Soil Association.
- Exceptional value: High-level protection at a price equivalent to a cup of coffee per hectare, per night.
Proven in the field
In recent trials, Tim Spakouskas at Yorkshire Heart Vineyard has integrated CropAid AntiFrost into their spraying programme.
When a -1°C frost was forecast, AntiFrost was applied 24-48 hours prior. Despite temperatures reaching -0.8°C, the vines suffered no issues. Beyond frost protection, the vineyard also reported improved vine health and increased yield and quality at harvest. “We feel it really helped with the health of the vines and improved the yield and quality at harvest,” said Tim.
Further south, at the award-winning Mallard Point Vineyard & Distillery in Lincolnshire, CropAid AntiFrost delivered extraordinary results under challenging conditions. Despite severe vineyard conditions that saw temperatures drop to -4°C no frost damage was recorded during potentially devastating May frost events. Additionally there was a yield increase of 50% which indicates a significant production growth compared to the previous season. Andrew Beamish noted: “We’ve never seen leaf health so abundant. It’s 100% obvious – why would you not be smiling to see vines as they are?”.
Martyn Pollock, Nine Oaks Vineyard, Kent, has also adopted the use of CropAid AntiFrost: “I have been using it for three years and I noticed an increase in buds and quality of buds. This is a low-cost solution that every grower should have.”
