Sunday 20th April 2003
South Dakota woos dairy farmers | |
|  | | Farmers on fact finding trip to South Dakota |
| | Dairy farmers disheartened with their life in Devon are being offered a new start thousands of miles away in the United States, where the dairy industry is desperate for their skills. |
|  | | Disillusioned dairy farmers in Devon are being wooed by the US Government to move to South Dakota.
The state wants 100 British farmers to set up dairy production to supply its growing cheese industry.
For many farmers in Devon and Cornwall life is still very tough.
Blighted by foot-and-mouth and BSE many of them are still struggling to make a living.
Those who are disheartened with their life here are now being offered a new start thousands of miles away in the United States.
 | | Incentives are on offer to farmers who agree to move |
South Dakota, a state the size of England, is desperately short of dairy farmers and needs an extra 65,000 cows.
There is an increasing demand for milk in the state due to the construction of three new cheese factories.
Already a number of milk producers from the South West of England are thinking of selling up and moving.
Attracted by the state's desperate need for experienced dairy producers they have travelled thousands of miles to see if this is the answer to their problems.
Travelling in a converted schoolbus, the farmers from Devon have been seeing what South Dakota has to offer.
Their tour included everything from state-of-the-art dairies to land that might be available if they do decide to move.
"You've got to be a very brave man to move, it's going to be a big undertaking to do it, said Westcountry farmer David Barnes.
"But what is so nice is the Americans are so friendly, they made us so welcome and any questions you have they will answer."
 | | Devon's dairy farmers have much needed expertise |
Devon farmer Mark Simpson was also enthusiastic about what he saw.
"Being a young chap there is no incentive by the UK Government to allow us to carry on farming.
"However in South Dakota there are no quotas and the government gives you the full backing of all their advisers and associated agricultural industries."
To entice farmers to move to America, they are being offered cheap loans and work visas.
The Government in South Dakota is planning many more fact finding trips over the next few months.
 | previous farming news |  |
| | | |
|
|
