California Farm Bureau says the rising cost of labor and a shortage of skilled workers to hand-pick fruit, has lead California canning peach growers to turn to science for help.
Researchers are creating new varieties which are firm and flavorful, which could lead to widespread adoption of mechanical picking.
A UC Davis geneticist says new varieties are essential to make peach farming economically sustainable.
Growers have funded breeding projects for more than 30 years to create new and improved clingstone peach varieties.
