The university wants to close the college, which trains farmers and runs other land-based courses, and transfer courses to the Plymouth campus.

The union said it was making its views known at the highest level.

John Dawe, chairman of Devon NFU, said: "How can you teach agriculture in the middle of Plymouth?

"It is a totally ludicrous idea. We have all the facilities there, it is an ideal site."

Research claim

His comments follow a protest by thousands of Seale Hayne students against the closure of the college which is regarded as one of the most respected in the country.

The students have put together a 4,000-signature petition to show their dismay and anger at the proposals.

University bosses believe that by concentrating resources at a new centralised site in Plymouth, they can improve research and teaching.

And they have given assurances that the practical elements of agricultural courses will remain at Seale Hayne for the foreseeable future.

They said everything possible would be done to minimise disruption for students.

But they added that because most science courses were now based in Plymouth, it made sense to centralise facilities and expertise.

The students feel that separating the practical and theory parts of the courses are not feasible as the Plymouth and Seale Hayne campuses lie 30 miles apart.