The loans will be worth up to $35,000.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) complained that USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) “fundamentally” changed the process with no notice.

USDA hopes to encourage construction of local food system infrastructures.

USDA could be forced to furlough workers.

USDA estimates it freed up $4 billion in agricultural exports last year.

A sequester and furlough would mean significant lost profits.

Rules for milk, yogurt, cheese and desserts have changed.

The increased levels are expected to kill more pathogens.

US and Chinese officials agreed to a new US Dairy Export Certificate, resolving a longstanding issue and allowing US dairies to enter a growing export market.