The Morning Harvest: Farm and Food News, No. 026, Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Today in 30 seconds
Top story: USDA's $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief rates are due this month, and fruit and vegetable growers still do not know if they are covered.
Recall: Brad's kale chips may contain thallium. Check your pantry, throw them out, and do not return them.
Cost: Mexican blackberries sell at $14 to $16 a flat, but store ads average $3.02 a cup, about $36 a flat.
In season: navel oranges are down to $1.19 a pound in ads, while mandarins rose to $1.75.
Grow: currants and gooseberries are hardy to zone 3, and November is for ordering and site prep.
Garden State: New Jersey requires permits and vet exams for livestock from screwworm states; call 609-671-6400 first.
Will USDA's $8 billion fuel aid reach fruit and vegetable farms?
What happened. On October 19, 2026, President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Harvest Fuel Relief program, $8 billion in single payments to farmers this harvest, with Trump speaking at a rally in Kansas. The money comes from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), a USDA funding arm, and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) runs the program. USDA says rates for Title I commodities, the crops named in the commodity title of the farm law, will be announced in November. Rates for other commodities will be "announced later," and no application dates have been published. One analyst, the Farm Bureau's Faith Parum, told RFD-TV to expect Title I rates in mid-November and payments by year end, which is an expectation, not USDA's. DTN also reported payments would not go out before the November 3 election, a single-outlet report that is now moot.
Why the program exists. The backdrop is fuel. EIA reported on-highway diesel at $6.292 a gallon for the week of November 2, against about $3.753 a year earlier (the year-ago figure is our subtraction from EIA's $2.539 year-over-year change). The East Coast average was $6.025. The record was about $6.50 in September: AAA, via CBS News, put it at $6.53 on September 22, while Farm Policy News reported $6.50, so we say "about $6.50." I could not confirm a New Jersey diesel price from a primary source; one aggregator showed about $6.37, which we treat as approximate and secondhand. The causes, per EIA data as summarized by the Energy Factbook (secondhand): the New York Harbor diesel crack spread, the margin between crude oil and diesel, was $111.27 a barrel the week of October 23, against $34.90 a year earlier and a record $115.83 the week of September 18. Distillate stocks were 102.8 million barrels, 10 percent below the 2021 to 2025 average. Distillate exports averaged 1,613 thousand barrels a day from June 26 to October 23, against a five year norm of 1,277, about 40 million extra barrels abroad. A broker blog also cites an IEA estimate that Gulf and Russian net diesel exports were 1.6 million barrels a day lower in August than February; that is a single, weak source and we have not verified it.
What it costs on the farm. Farmers mostly burn off road dyed diesel, which carries no highway taxes, so the pump price is not their bill. USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) forecast in September that 2026 farm fuel and oil expenses would rise 28.8 percent to $21.6 billion, within total production expenses of $492.8 billion, up 4.5 percent (via the American Farm Bureau Federation, secondhand). On a per acre basis, Ryan Loy of the University of Arkansas estimated fuel at about $40 an acre for corn and about $75 for rice, with data as of October 29 (single university source). The International Fresh Produce Association says produce fuel use extends beyond field work to harvesting, packing, cooling, refrigeration and transport. We found no fuel cost per acre for blackberries or any other fruit crop. The cost reaches shoppers only if growers cut acres or pass on trucking and packing costs; this payment goes to farm operations, not to checkout.
How the money is calculated. USDA says the program is modeled on last year's Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. A uniform formula covers part of modeled 2026 crop year losses, built from FSA planted acres, ERS cost of production estimates, and USDA yield and price forecasts. Crop insurance is not required. Applications will arrive prefilled for farmers who have linked a Login.gov account to USDA. Per acre rates are not set. Preliminary outside estimates from Matt Gammans of North Dakota State, which are not USDA's, assume about $7.2 billion, a little over 90 percent, goes to Title I crops, as with FBA, but that share is unconfirmed. His two methods give corn $26.67 or $35.73, soybeans about $15 or $23, wheat $37 or $16, cotton $116 or $59, and rice $78 or $162. As an illustration (our arithmetic): a 1,000 acre corn farm with fuel at $40 an acre spends about $40,000; Gammans's range would pay $26,670 to $35,730, and an FBA sized $44.36 would pay $44,360.
What USDA has not said, and the best precedent. USDA has not published a payment limit, an income cap, forms, sign up dates, a payment date, or any rate for non-Title I crops. The nearest precedent is FBA, announced December 31, 2025: $12 billion to more than 560,000 farmers at flat per acre rates of $44.36 for corn, $30.88 for soybeans, $39.35 for wheat, $132.89 for rice and $117.35 for cotton, with a $155,000 per person cap and an adjusted gross income limit under $900,000. Specialty crops came later, through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program, $1.625 billion at $650, $225, $65 and $25 per acre by tier. The acreage report deadline was April 24, 2026, and applications ran June 1 to August 7, 2026, so fruit and vegetable growers were paid months after row crops. Caneberries (raspberries and blackberries), highbush blueberries and strawberries sat in the $650 tier, per USDA's Federal Register notice. These are precedent figures, not predictions for this program.
Reaction. Rob Larew of the National Farmers Union said one time payments cannot give farms stability and raised questions about specialty crops. Zippy Duvall of the American Farm Bureau Federation welcomed the $8 billion. The International Fresh Produce Association said USDA "has not explicitly excluded specialty crops" but warned an acreage based approach could leave many producers without help, and asked members to hold off emailing fuel data to USDA while it coordinates with the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. Critics included Aaron Lehman of the Iowa Farmers Union, who called it a "Band-Aid," and John Boyd of the National Black Farmers Association, who said it comes "way too late." Gbenga Ajilore of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities argued aid follows a pattern of policies that hurt farmers and are then offset with taxpayer money.
The related relief most people missed. An October 5 executive order (EO 14435) gave temporary federal penalty relief for using off road red dyed diesel on public roads. The IRS paused enforcement of the 24.4 cent per gallon federal excise tax and waived the penalty (IR-2026-122, October 14), with recordkeeping relief following (IR-2026-125, October 21). USDA said on October 29 that 31 states had acted, with more than $640 million in combined federal and state savings across about 224.6 million harvested acres. The catch: federal relief does not cover state penalties, and Land Line reported 19 states had not yet acted. I could not confirm whether New Jersey is among the 31, and no end date was stated.
What to do:
Link Login.gov to USDA now. USDA says prefilled applications go to farmers who have done this.
Report your 2026 acres to FSA and keep your customer forms current. The program uses FSA reported planted acres. Which forms it will require has not been published, so do not assume the ones used last year.
Specialty growers, check with your grower association first. USDA invited fuel cost information at HarvestFuel@usda.gov, but the International Fresh Produce Association asked members to hold off emailing and coordinate through the trade group.
Keep fuel invoices and gallons by month. This is our suggestion, not a USDA requirement; it is what you would send if asked.
Before running dyed diesel on a road, call the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, or your state agriculture department, to confirm your state has issued its own order.
Sources: USDA release 0137.26, Oct 19; AgriNews, Nov 3; Fresh Fruit Portal, Nov 2; EIA, Nov 3; Fryar Risk Center, Nov 2; farmdoc daily, Jan 2026; FSA ASCF page, fetched Nov 4; USDA, Oct 29; Newsweek, Oct 20; RFD-TV, Oct 22; DTN, Oct 20; CBS News, Oct 2026; Energy Factbook, Nov 3; AFBF, Sept 3; Land Line, Oct 2026.
Which kale chips are recalled for thallium, and what should I do?
Snack Right Super Foods, Inc., doing business as Brad's Raw Chips of Coral Gables, Florida, announced a recall on November 2, 2026; FDA posted it November 3. The chips may contain thallium, a toxic metal kale can take up from soil. Drying concentrates it, and the company says its process did not add it. About 25,000 bags (about 2,097 cases) shipped nationwide through KeHE and UNFI, plus five direct buyers, October to December 2025. No illnesses are confirmed. FDA names no retailers or states.
Lot codes (best by dates in parentheses):
Crunchy Kale Original, 2 oz, UPC 813104021679: 33525-1, 33525-2, 33525-3 (Feb 1, 2027); 34525-1 (Feb 11); 35125-2 (Feb 17)
Crunchy Kale Cheeze It Up, 2 oz, UPC 813104021877: 35025-3 (Feb 16, 2027)
Crunchy Kale Radical Ranch, 2 oz, UPC 813104020726: 29425-1 (Dec 21, 2026)
Veggie Chips Kale, 3 oz, UPC 854615002054: 33225-3 (Jan 28, 2027); 33325-2 (Jan 29); 33425-1 (Jan 30); 33525-1 (Feb 1)
What to do: Stop eating them and discard them. No refunds are offered, so do not return them. If you think you were affected, contact a health care provider.
Source: FDA recall notice, Nov 3, 2026.
Why does a cup of blackberries cost what it does?
USDA's FOB Review dated October 23, 2026, the latest I could open, puts Mexican blackberries at $14 to $16 per 12-cup flat (12 six-ounce cups). FOB means free on board, the price at the shipping point. That is about $1.17 to $1.33 a cup.
USDA's retail report (ads October 17 to 29) counted 5,343 ads for 5.6 to 6 oz blackberries at $3.02 average, down $0.33 from last week and up $0.35 (13.1%) from $2.67 last year. Our math: $3.02 times 12 is $36.24 a flat, so about $20 to $22 sits between the shipping point and the ad.
Why:
Mexican supply is building, and rain curtailed California harvest.
Blueberries are pricey, pints at $5.69 versus $3.77 last year, after El Nino cut Peru's crop. The link to blackberry ads is our inference.
Labor and fuel costs are rising; no dollar figures found.
What to do:
Buy blackberries near $3; freeze extras.
Blueberries: the 6 oz cup is $3.23 against $5.69 for a pint, so compare price per ounce before you buy.
Growers: New York terminal paid $32 to $36 a flat for fine-appearance fruit versus $24 to $26, per flat (USDA New York terminal report, Nov 3; single fetch, confirm).
Sources: USDA FOB Review, Oct 23, 2026; USDA retail report, Oct 23, 2026; Fresh Fruit Portal, Oct 15, 2026; USDA New York terminal report, Nov 3, 2026.
What's in season now, and what is it costing?
Citrus is the story. USDA's retail report dated October 23, 2026 (ads October 17 to 29) shows:
Mandarins and tangerines: $1.75 per lb (last week $1.56, last year $1.65). The 3 lb bag is $4.78 (week $4.71, year $4.58). The 2 lb bag is $3.64 (week $4.34, year $4.99).
Navel oranges: $1.19 per lb (week $1.44, year $1.34). The 3 lb bag is $4.96 (week $5.25, year $4.93).
California's forecast is 38 million 40-lb cartons of mandarins, up 5 million, and 84 million of navels, up 4 million (CDFA and NASS, via FreshPlaza). Satsumas grow in north Florida, the Gulf Coast and east Texas, and mature September to December. UF/IFAS says they hold poorly on the tree and are hardy to about 14 to 18 F when dormant, so they are a Gulf South yard tree. A green rind can still be ripe.
What to do:
Buy navels loose at $1.19 per lb; the 3 lb bag works out to about $1.65 per lb (our math).
Buy mandarins in the 3 lb bag, about $1.59 per lb (our math), over the 2 lb bag at about $1.82 per lb or loose fruit at $1.75.
Refrigerate mandarins at 32 to 36 F.
Sources: USDA retail report, Oct 23, 2026; FreshPlaza, Sept 15, 2026; UF/IFAS, undated.
Could you grow currants and gooseberries?
Yes, in much of the country. Utah State says they are hardy to zone 3 and do well in zones 3 to 6. Penn State says they tolerate partial shade and are self-fruitful.
Yield: about 4 to 10 pounds per mature plant (Penn State 5 to 7 lb, Utah State 8 to 10 lb, Minnesota up to 4 quarts). Varies by species and site.
Time: Minnesota says fruit in 1 to 3 years; Oregon State says full crops in year 3 or 4.
Soil: well drained, pH about 5.6 to 7.0. Test first.
Spacing: 3 to 5 ft apart, rows 6 to 10 ft.
Timing is regional. Penn State and Utah State support fall planting of dormant bare-root stock (zones 5 to 6); Minnesota advises spring. In zones 3 to 5, November is for site prep and ordering.
What to do: Order a handful of bare-root plants. Skip fertilizer in the planting hole (our reading of Minnesota guidance). Ribes can carry white pine blister rust, which harms five-needled pines, so ask your state agriculture department before buying.
Sources: Minnesota Extension; Penn State Extension; Utah State Extension; Oregon State EM 9182, all opened Nov 4, 2026.
What do animal owners need to know about New Jersey's screwworm rules?
On June 30, 2026, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) issued a quarantine order on New World screwworm, a fly whose larvae eat living tissue. The fall 2026 Animal Health update (September) repeats it.
Livestock from or through a state with a screwworm zone need prior NJDA permit approval.
Animals from an affected state need a vet exam within 5 days before transport and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
Dogs, cats, exotic pets and rabbits need systemic vet treatment.
No New Jersey case when the order was issued.
The update also reports a Coryza case in a flock of more than 200 hens, about 8% severely ill, and advises quarantining new poultry at least 4 weeks. Our latest U.S. count (20 cases, Fox 7 Austin, June 25) is stale; we found no current number.
What to do: In New Jersey, call NJDA Animal Health at 609-671-6400 before moving animals from an affected state. Elsewhere, check your state veterinarian's entry rules. Quarantine new birds four weeks.
Sources: NJDA order, June 30, 2026; NJDA fall 2026 update, Sept 2026; Fox 7 Austin, June 25, 2026.
Own land? Stop mowing grass and start growing fruit
If you have a lawn, a field edge or an unused acre, it can grow orchard, vineyard or berry crops. Curated Nature installs backyard vineyards and orchards in Southern New Jersey and designs and consults remotely nationwide. Start at the backyard vineyard and orchard installation page.
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