The Morning Harvest: Farm and Food News, No. 028, Friday, November 6, 2026
Today in 30 seconds
Screwworm: USDA counted 113 US animal cases as of Nov 4, 61 of them in the last 30 days, and Arizona now has 4.
Recall: Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft-Baked Bars, all lots, choking hazard.
Cranberries: a 12 oz bag averaged $2.51 in ads, versus $1.83 a bag at the Los Angeles wholesale market.
In season: spaghetti squash at $1.08 a pound, blood oranges at $2.92 a pound, radishes at $1.40 a bunch.
Grow it: plums need two to three compatible varieties and at least three years to a first harvest.
Garden State: Rutgers holds a free Equipment Day for new farmers in Chesterfield on Nov 14, and the RSVP closes today.
Buy local: pasture-raised ground beef from Sickler's Circle View Farm in Monroeville, NJ, $9.99 a pound at our farm stand in Hammonton. Free pickup by appointment only. See the beef: https://www.curatednature.co/farm-stand#beef
What is happening with New World screwworm in the US?
What happened and the numbers behind it. USDA's count of confirmed US New World screwworm animal cases was 113 as of November 4, 2026: 111 in domestic animals and 2 in wild elk, with 55 active and 58 inactive. Screwworm is a fly whose larvae, the maggots, eat the living flesh of warm-blooded animals. The first US case was a calf in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3, 2026, the first US detection in about 60 years. Sixty-one of the 113 cases came in the 30 days ending Nov 4, so more than half of the total arrived in the last month. Domestic cases by month tell the same story: 4 in August, 3 in September, 36 in October, and 24 in just the first four days of November. The count was 74 on October 29. One rolling news tracker headline says 116, but I could not confirm that figure, so the safe statement is more than 110 and rising, and the USDA dashboard is the live count. Arizona announced its first case October 28, a dog in Cochise County, and now has 4 (a dog, two horses and a ram, in Cochise and Greenlee counties), according to the Arizona Department of Agriculture. New Mexico had 22 cases in October alone.
Who pays and where it stops. The chain starts with one infested animal. USDA then draws a zone of 20 kilometers, or 12.4 miles, around the detection, and rules apply at the ranch gate. In Arizona, live animals need a State Veterinarian inspection to leave the zone. In New Mexico, animals need an inspection within 5 days before moving, plus identification and treatment. Parts of 16 Texas counties, plus New Mexico and Arizona, have movement limits. The first bill lands on the producer, in labor and treatment. The second link is cattle supply. Mexico historically sent about 1.2 million head a year, according to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association via Drovers in June 2025, and the border has been closed to those cattle for more than a year. The Douglas, Arizona, crossing reopened August 24 under a phased plan. On October 30 USDA said it would not pause Douglas or Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and one outlet reported more than 50,000 cattle crossed through October 23 with no detections in imported animals. That is a single report. The veterinary association AVMA said November 2 to 3 there was no plan to close Douglas, and I found no statement after the Greenlee County cases. As for the shelf, no source I found links screwworm to any grocery price, so I will not give you one. USDA and Arizona officials say this is not a food safety issue, and the CDC reports no locally acquired US human cases. New Jersey has 24,000 cattle and calves and 9,900 farms of all kinds (NASS, Jan 1, 2026), and I found no New Jersey case.
Why it is spreading. The flies came north from Mexico, which had more than 1,800 active cases in mid-May, according to the Dallas Fed. Adult flies can travel 2.5 to 12.5 miles on their own. The main defense is sterile flies: flies raised in a factory and made unable to reproduce, then released so wild females lay eggs that never develop. Panama produces about 100 million a week. Metapa, Mexico, finished late June and is ramping toward 100 million a week, and Moore Air Base in Texas can disperse up to 100 million a week. Secretary Rollins said September 23 that more than 1 billion flies had been released in total at about 100 million a week, roughly one-fifth of the 500 million a week target (a secondhand report). A Texas plant costing $750 million is planned, and sources differ on whether it starts in late 2027 or sooner. No source explains why October jumped, and I found no figure for sterile flies released in Arizona.
What it costs. USDA APHIS built a historical model scaled from the 1976 Texas outbreak: about $452 per head of cattle and about $180 per head of sheep and goats, in 2024 dollars, with projected Texas producer losses of about $733 million a year. That is a model, not a bill, and APHIS cautions that comparisons are hard. Dr. Jared Ranly, a rancher and veterinarian, estimated $5 to $20 a head to treat, with labor the biggest cost (CBS Austin, June, single source). I could not find a ranch that has published its own numbers, and I won't make one up. Treated animals also have meat withdrawal times, the days before an animal can go to market: at least 35 days for Dectomax CA-1 and Ivomec, 98 for Exzolt, and 30 for F10 spray (Texas A&M AgriLife).
How the response works and what USDA has not said. USDA APHIS leads with state veterinarians under its response playbook: lab confirmation at the national lab in Ames, Iowa, a 20 km zone, movement controls, a surveillance zone, traps and sterile fly release. FDA had issued 15 emergency use authorizations plus 3 conditional approvals for animal drugs as of September 3. I found no per-animal payment program, and the Farm Service Agency's 2026 ELAP livestock fact sheet does not list screwworm. Unknowns: why October spiked, whether Douglas stays open, true per-farm cost today, any price effect, and Arizona fly releases. The precedent is hopeful but old: the Southeast was cleared in 1959 for about $10 million, the Southwest in 1966 for about $32 million, and the Florida Keys outbreak of 2016 was eliminated by early 2017.
Reaction. Sid Miller, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, said July 24 that USDA is reacting rather than getting ahead of the fly. On June 12, 21 Senate Democrats led by Klobuchar, Luján, Slotkin and Heinrich asked Secretary Rollins to use the Defense Production Act for sterile flies, pay indemnity to encourage reporting, and add USDA veterinarians. Brian DeGanahl, president of the Arizona Cattle Growers' Association, said October 30 that the detection was "not a shock" and urged USDA to open the Douglas sterile fly facility soon (single source). On June 3, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall promised "every tool in the toolbox" and R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard said, "We now switch from prevention to eradication." I found no fresh November statement from either group. Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins said November 5, "Farm security is national security."
The funding most people missed. On November 5, APHIS announced that three Farm Bill animal-health programs rise from $30 million to $233 million a year, starting in fiscal 2026. Up to $80 million in fiscal 2027 grants are open now, split into $40 million for states and $40 million for industry groups, and they close January 7, 2027. The catch: individual farmers cannot apply. Only state agencies, regional response groups, and producer or veterinary organizations can. The money also covers bird flu, African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease.
Related coverage on livestock disease and farm aid: Why is bird flu back in dairy herds? and Will USDA's $8 billion fuel aid reach fruit and vegetable farms?
What to do
Check animals daily and keep a dated log. Look for maggots in wounds or body openings, enlarging draining wounds, a foul smell, or licking and head-shaking. Untreated animals can die within about 10 days. Report to your vet, state animal health official or USDA: Arizona 602-542-4293, Texas Animal Health Commission 1-800-550-8242, or screwworm@usda.gov.
Before moving any animal near a zone, get the inspection paperwork and check the zone maps at screwworm.gov and ScrewwormNM.org. Keep inspection certificates and treatment receipts.
Ask your vet about FDA-authorized products and keep treatment and loss records.
Call your local Farm Service Agency about ELAP and file a notice of loss by March 1, 2027 if you have one. Screwworm is not named on the fact sheet, so ask. Or ask your producer group to apply for the Industry Preparedness grant by January 7, 2027.
Shoppers and pet owners: USDA says this is not a food safety issue. Check your pets' skin wounds and see a vet if you find maggots.
Sources: USDA APHIS Arizona confirmation, Oct 28, 2026; High Plains Journal, Nov 5, 2026; KJZZ, Nov 5, 2026; APHIS historical cost guide; Dallas Fed, May 20, 2026; APHIS sterile fly facilities; FDA screwworm animal drugs, Sept 3, 2026; AVMA, Nov 2026; Texas Tribune, Jul 24, 2026; CBS Austin, Jun 2026; CDC, Oct 29, 2026; USDA FSA ELAP fact sheet, 2026; APHIS animal-health funding, Nov 5, 2026.
Which toddler snack bars were recalled for a choking hazard?
Once Upon a Farm announced on October 30, 2026 that it is recalling all lots and all varieties of its Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft-Baked Bars, and FDA posted the notice November 2. The bars can turn into a dense, sticky mass with saliva, a choking risk for toddlers about 1.5 to 2.5 years old. The company received 3 choking complaints and no injuries have been reported. The recall is nationwide, including Puerto Rico, in stores and online, and the notice lists no states. Best-by dates run from 10/30/2026 to 8/26/2027. I am relying on the FDA notice alone here.
UPCs listed:
Strawberry Pumpkin & Beet: 5 count 81000351261, 10 count 810003512932
Apple Sweet Potato & Spinach: 5 count 81000351260, 10 count 810003512840
Banana Pumpkin & Cauliflower: 5 count 81000351262
Variety packs: 20 count 810003512918, 30 count 810003512925
Online sampler cases: 10810003513670, 10810003513694, 10810003513687
What to do: Check your pantry for these bars and do not serve them. For a full refund, return them to the place of purchase or contact care@uponafarm.com or 1-888-983-1606.
Source: FDA recall notice, posted Nov 2, 2026.
Why do fresh cranberries cost $2.51 a bag?
The latest USDA Agricultural Marketing Service retail report, dated October 30, 2026, shows a 12 oz bag of cranberries averaging $2.51 on 1,805 ads. That is up 9.6% from $2.29 last week, but down 5.3% from $2.65 a year ago. The November 6 edition was not available. The AMS Los Angeles terminal market report of October 23 showed Wisconsin cranberries at $44.00 for a carton of 24 twelve-ounce bags, which is $1.83 a bag, a $0.68 gap to the ad price. A terminal market is a big-city wholesale market, not the farm gate. The 2026 crop is forecast at about 7.9 million barrels versus 7.508 million in 2025, about 4.8% more by my arithmetic (NASS, Sept 11). Only about 3% to 5% of cranberries are sold fresh, the rest are processed (3% per the Cranberry Marketing Committee via Produce Business, 2020; about 5% per a Wisconsin source via Civic Media, 2025). My inference, not a sourced finding: a small fresh slice and short window could explain the swings. I could not confirm a price per barrel.
What to do: Buy at the lowest ad you see. The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association says fresh berries freeze well for a year.
Sources: USDA AMS National Retail Report, Oct 30, 2026; USDA NASS Crop Production report page, Sept 11, 2026 edition.
What is in season now: spaghetti squash, blood oranges and radishes
Figures are from USDA's retail report dated October 30, 2026 and the counts are ads.
Spaghetti squash: $1.08 a pound on 4,425 ads (last week $1.10 on 6,363 ads, last year $1.10 on 3,284). I could not confirm which regions are shipping. University of Missouri Extension: pick squash heavy for its size with firm, unblemished skin; whole squash keeps up to 3 months at 55 to 60 F.
Blood oranges: $4.99 for a 3 lb bag on 1,195 ads. Sold by the pound, $2.92 on 414 ads (last week $2.85, last year $3.99, down 27%). California is expected, but I could not confirm which growing regions are shipping this week. UF/IFAS says blood oranges need big day and night temperature swings for color, so Florida fruit shows little.
Radishes: $1.40 a bunch on 467 ads (last week $1.55, last year $0.88). University of Maryland Extension: they mature in 25 to 35 days and tolerate fall frost, so a gardener can still plant them.
What to do: Pick heavy squash, compare blood orange ads with last year's $3.99 a pound, and sow radishes if your ground is not frozen.
Source: USDA AMS National Retail Report, Oct 30, 2026.
Could you grow plums?
Utah State Extension (Nov 2015) puts a home tree at about 3 to 5 bushels; the University of Maine (2017) says 50 to 80 pounds in a good commercial year. First harvest comes at least 3 years after planting; full production takes 8 to 10 years (Maine, Kentucky). Space trees 18 to 22 feet apart (Utah). Plant 2 to 3 compatible varieties, since European and Japanese plums cannot pollinate each other; self-fertile Japanese picks include Methley, Mariposa and AU Amber (UGA, May 2026). They want 6 or more hours of sun and soil pH near 6.5, and suit zones 5 to 8 (European) or 5 to 9 (Japanese). Spring frost is the main risk, since Japanese plums bloom earlier.
What to do this month: Get a soil test; lime can take up to 6 months to work. Order bare-root trees now and match pollen groups; nurseries may not dig until January (Oregon State). In the north, wrap trunks, use rodent guards, and prune in late winter, not now.
Tree fruit takes three to five years to produce, per the Curated Nature service page, and we offer a free site visit and soil test in Southern New Jersey and design-only plans anywhere.
Sources: Utah State Extension, Nov 2015; University of Maine Bulletin 2034, 2017; University of Kentucky, Jul 2016; UGA Bulletin 1518, May 2026; NC State Extension, Jan 2024; Oregon State Extension, Sep 2024.
Garden State: free equipment day for new farmers in Chesterfield
Rutgers' RU Ready to Farm program holds its Equipment Day on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hlubik Farms, 92 Chesterfield-Georgetown Road, Chesterfield, in Burlington County. It is free, but registration is required and the RSVP deadline is today, November 6, at go.rutgers.edu/6iqwqax4. The agenda covers small and medium vegetable equipment, pesticide safety, the soil testing and plant diagnostic labs, on-farm food safety, integrated pest management, an orchard tour, and tips on sourcing used equipment. The Rutgers contacts named are Linnea Eberly and Trevor Styles. If you miss the deadline, ask them whether walk-ins are possible; I could not confirm that. Outside New Jersey, your county Cooperative Extension office is the place to ask about similar events.
What to do: RSVP today, or call the program and ask about the next equipment day.
Sources: Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory, Oct 20, 2026; Rutgers Cumberland County Extension, Oct 30, 2026.
Own land? Stop mowing grass and start growing fruit
If you have land that is just lawn, Curated Nature can help you turn it into a producing orchard, vineyard or berry planting. The service page describes a free on-site consultation, a soil test, a design, installation with irrigation and trellising, and optional maintenance. Berries produce in year two, grapes in year three and tree fruit in years three to five, and quotes are custom. Full-service installation and ongoing management are local to Southern New Jersey (Hammonton, Cherry Hill and Medford area), while remote consulting and design-only help are available to landowners anywhere in the country.
Prefer to listen? The Morning Harvest is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.