IT was mid-December when Ian McAlister had to make the heartbreaking call: six hectares of ripe, juicy peaches were destined for the mulcher.

The Lake Boga stone fruit grower had struggled to find workers all last year, relying on family members and kind neighbours to fill the gaps as much as possible. But, in the lead-up to Christmas and no more workers in sight, something had to give – and the peaches were it.

Read more of this Weekly Times article in the attachment below...