Dairy giant Fonterra is holding to a forecast payout potentially worth billions as international prices shows signs of strengthening later in the season.

Fonterra has announced it will not be changing its farmer payout forecast, saying world dairy prices should improve later this year.

The National Party has received $200,000 from a wealthy Chinese NZ couple linked to the Crafar farms bid.

The Govt is putting up $144.1m into two initiatives worth $321m over seven years to boost productivity and new products for the dairy and red meat sectors.

Natural Dairy, the Chinese backed company bidding for the Crafar dairy empire, has turned to newspaper advertising to push its case.

A rival takeover offer has been launched for NZ Farming Systems Uruguay.

PGG Wrightson, New Zealand's biggest rural services group has returned to profit after impairments in the previous year.

Farmers are backing Fonterra's denials of claims that its milkpowder could be responsible for excessive hormonal levels in Chinese infant formula.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority says it is seeking answers from Chinese authorities that link NZ to a milk powder scandal.

Federated Farmers says fast, reliable broadband access is necessary if agri-business is to reach its productive potential. Simon Hendery reports.