Little Rock - Temperatures dipped into the 20s in parts of northwest Arkansas on Tuesday, but agriculture experts say damage to fruit crops does not appear to be widespread.

Two years ago the state's fruit growers suffered devastating losses when temperatures plunged into the teens after weeks of warm weather. This year, temperatures were lower in February and March, so peach, apple and grape crops were not as far along and thus not as vulnerable as two years ago.

At Altus, Thomas Post says the Post Familie Vineyard sustained about 5% damage. Workers burned hay near the most sensitive varieties, and the smoke trapped warmth from the ground and helped preserve the crop.

Growers will examine their crops over the coming days to evaluate the damage, but experts say Tuesday morning's freeze was nothing like the one two years ago.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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