The University of Plymouth has been trumpeting the success of its conference on farming earlier this month. Some 130 people attended the event, hosted by the university's Seale-Hayne Agricultural College. Deputy vice-chancellor Clare Broom commented: "Throughout the world, rural regions are undergoing considerable change and we are very conscious of the role that researchers can play in helping society understand these changes." Ironic, really, as the university is scrapping teaching at the college and moving students to its urban campuses.