South Australian farmers whose fruit crops were damaged by heavy storms are getting a $500,000 lifeline from the SA government to help salvage their damaged harvest.

Hailstones caused significant damage to 95 per cent of apples and pears in the Adelaide Hills region in October and Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell says the money will go towards juicing equipment so damaged fruit does not go to waste.

"Without assistance, it could have been an absolutely devastating harvest next March and the flow on effects would have been really damaging to the scores of growers," Mr Bignell said.  Read more of this article.....