Dairy farmers are being brought up to speed on animal welfare - for the benefit of their stock and their businesses.

DairyNZ is hosting a series of welfare workshops, starting in two weeks.

Spokesman Chris Leach says farmers are increasingly farming in a goldfish bowl with a string of high profile animal welfare cases over the last few years.

He says DairyNZ wants to ensure farmers are fully aware of their responsibilities "so that animals are looked after in the best way possible and there's minimal risk to farming businesses."

Leach says changes last year to the welfare code have often led to a lack of awareness, and misinterpretation.

"What we're really wanting to provide for farmers is an opportunity to have a sit down and fully understand the implications, responsibilities with regard to animal welfare on farm."

Changes to the Animal Welfare Act will likely give the Ministry for Primary Industries greater powers to crackdown on farmers.