A key element of their strategy involves aggressive water management. Heavily reliant on irrigation, the Mills have been proactively purchasing additional water from their neighbors to ensure their farms continue to operate. This, combined with the installation of an extensive pipe and riser irrigation system, has not only optimized water usage, saving about 20% in water and 30-40% in time, but also allowed them to maintain essential pasture growth despite the drought.

Beyond water, fodder management has been another critical success factor. Frankie Mills made a speculative forward purchase of straw, a decision that proved incredibly prescient when fodder became scarce and expensive. This foresight, coupled with their existing silage reserves, ensured their 550-head split-calving herd, combined from two farms, remained well-fed and in good condition, proving a strategic edge in dairy economics.

The Mills’ strategic adaptability also extended to herd management. Faced with pressures, they consolidated their two dairy herds into one and ceased milking on one farm to reduce the operational load. Furthermore, Frankie made a conscious decision to cull more non-producing (empty) cows from both autumn and spring calving herds than he normally would, optimizing efficiency and resource allocation during challenging times.