More than 200 UK dairy farmers have visited South Dakota

The state wants 100 British farmers to set up dairy production to supply its growing cheese industry.

Farmers from all parts of the UK have been flown over for a week to see what the state has to offer.

And while Devon dairy farmer Mark Simpson seemed quite impressed, he has not made any decisions yet.

The father-of-two keeps 350 cows on Cleave Farm in Weare Giffard, near Bideford in north Devon.

Green Card

Mr Simpson, 30, said: "Being a young chap, there is no incentive from the UK Government to carry on farming.

"However in South Dakota there are no quotas and the government are giving farmers their full backing."

Downsides stateside included visa restrictions, fluctuating milk prices and the amount of capital needed for the new venture.

Mr Simpson said: "You have to take out �800,000 to �1m capital to get started and you still only get 40% equity in a set-up of 500 cows.

"I think that will put a lot of people off."

He added: "You have to employ 10 Americans to get a Green Card.

"And they would not issue a Green Card for the children, so they would have to go home at 21."

So far more than 200 disheartened British farmers have travelled thousands of miles to take a look at what this state has to offer.

As an incentive, the state is offering cheap loans and work visas.

And it is hoping for many more trips over the next few months.