LIKE most Australian and US farmers, Mike Wackman, a fifth generation producer from Elk Grove, California, faces a constant challenge to remain profitable and stay ahead of rising input costs and falling profit margins. But a highly successful vertical integration strategy, mostly in wine production, has been a critical element of ensuring his family farming operation remains viable. Mr Wackman produces oats for hay, lucerne for livestock feed and his big opportunity earner, grapes for wine production, through a combination of irrigation techniques and on annual rainfall of about 50 millimetres (21 inches).