Soft fruit breeder Ralph Scorza and colleagues developed this pitless plum. Continuing budget constraints at U.S. universities will result in fewer scientists and less research for growers to draw upon, predicts Larry Gut, entomologist at Michigan State University. “People are being laid off and let go,” Gut said. “I’m afraid it will impact specialty agriculture, like apples, tremendously.” Few people understand the role that universities play in helping growers do what they do, he added. He does not think private companies will step into that role because growers could not afford to pay for those kinds of resources and services. […]