"WE ARE not out of the woods yet, but things are certainly looking better."

That's the opinion of many dairy farmers on the cusp of the new financial year and a fresh season.

However, some dairy farmers remain in the dark with their processors still tight-lipped about opening new-season prices.

The Weekly Times spoke to farmers across Victoria about their financial positions and their responses were mixed.

Some were in the red by as much as $80,000, with most recorded losses ranging from $12,000 to $17,000.

Others said they would record a "small" profit, while most were confident they would break even due to cost-cutting measures.

According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics' Financial performance of Australian dairy farmers report, released earlier this month, farm business profit varied greatly by state and region.

ABARE estimated that Riverina and northern Victorian dairy farmers would record an average business loss of $109,800 for 2009-10 and, in contrast, West Australian dairy farmers would record an average profit of $129,600.

Last year, Riverina and northern Victorian farmers recorded a loss of $76,470, while West Australians achieved a profit of $203,710.

Gippsland farmers were also in the red to the tune of $60,000, while it was expected that, on average, Western District dairy farmers would record a loss of $51,800.

Last year, Gippsland producers recorded a loss of $17,080 while Western District producers achieved a $10,800 profit.

Average farm business profit in South Australia was $64,900, down from $132.530 last year.

In Tasmania, dairy farmer fortunes went from a $79,180 profit in 2008-09 a $37,800 loss in 2009-10.

However, looking ahead, the short-term confidence of Victorian dairy farmers had been buoyed by the improved seasonal conditions.

Beeac dairy farmer Pat Breen said he was more "upbeat" about moving forward and claimed the season was the best for 30 years.

Echoing his sentiments was Terang dairy farmer John McConnell, who said dairy farmers should fight to secure their fair share "of the housewives' dollar" to improve their farmgate milk price.

"We should keep asking for the factories to do better," he said.

Undera dairy farmer Bart van Ruiswyk, who supplies Tatura Milk Industries, described the factory's opening price of $4.70/kg of milk solids and Dairy Australia's predicted season-closing price as "cautious".