Category: M

markings: colored patterns on the coat of an animal or in the feathers of a bird. Understanding and breeding for desirable markings can improve the marketability of livestock and poultry.

milk yield: the quantity of milk produced each year by a cow. In the UK, the average annual milk yield per dairy type cow increased from 3,989 litres per cow in 1974/5 to 6,530 litres per cow in 2006. Understanding milk yield can help farmers manage dairy production more effectively, ensuring better productivity and profitability.

mare: a female horse, five years old or more. Proper care and management of mares can ensure better health and productivity, particularly for breeding purposes.

marrowstem kale: a variety of kale with a thick stem and large leaves, grown as feed for livestock in the autumn and winter months, though it is not winter hardy. Growing marrowstem kale can provide farmers with a valuable fodder crop, ensuring a steady supply of feed for livestock during the colder months.

mate: an animal that reproduces sexually with another. Understanding mating behavior can help farmers manage breeding programs more effectively, ensuring better livestock productivity and genetic diversity.

methyl bromide: an effective chemical for sterilising soil and fumigating spaces. Understanding the application and effects of methyl bromide can help farmers manage pest control and soil sterilization more effectively, ensuring better crop health and yields.

milk fever: a disease of milk cows, milk goats and ewes. Technical name hypocalcaemia. In spite of its name, the disease is not a fever, and may affect a dairy cow just before calving or during the seven days which follow calving. The first symptoms are restlessness, moving the hind feet up and down while standing; these symptoms are followed by loss of balance and later loss of consciousness. The disease is common at the third, fourth or fifth time of calving, and is caused by a metabolic disturbance or imbalance in the system, due to a low calcium content in the blood. The disease is treated by injections of calcium borogluconate. Managing and preventing milk fever is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of dairy animals, ensuring better milk yield and quality.

mouse: a small rodent (Mus musculus) that may be found in fields, barns, stores, etc., where it may cause damage. Managing mouse infestations can help farmers protect their crops and stored products, ensuring better health and productivity.

meat and bone meal: meal made from waste meat and bones, formerly used in animal feed but now banned in the EU because of fears that it was a contributing factor in the spread of BSE. Abbr MBM. Understanding the regulations and alternatives to meat and bone meal can help farmers ensure the safety and marketability of their feed products.

mountain soil: soil found on high ground. Understanding the characteristics of mountain soil can help farmers manage crop and livestock production more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

mangold fly: same as mangel fly. Controlling mangold fly infestations is important to protect crops and ensure healthy growth, leading to better yields and farm sustainability.

Maine-Anjou: a breed of dual-purpose cattle developed in Brittany, now imported into the UK from France, and exported to many other countries. The animals are roan or red and white in colour. This breed can be beneficial for farmers looking for versatile cattle that provide both milk and meat, leading to diversified farm income and better economic stability.

milling wheat: best-quality wheat used to make flour for making bread. Understanding the characteristics and marketability of milling wheat can help farmers optimize their grain production and income.

Montana State University: a university in Montana, USA, which is noted for its agricultural research and education. Understanding the resources and expertise available at Montana State University can help farmers access valuable information and support for improving their agricultural practices.

mango: a tropical tree (Mangifera indica) and the fruit it produces. Growing mangoes can provide farmers with a high-value crop, especially in tropical regions where the climate is suitable for mango cultivation.

monosex: a system of fish breeding in which only the male fish are reared. Understanding monosex systems can help farmers optimize their fish production and improve yields and profitability.

monocytogenes: Listeria monocytogenes. Understanding the characteristics and risks of Listeria monocytogenes can help farmers manage food safety and protect consumer health.

maincrop potatoes: varieties of potato grown as a main crop. Choosing the right variety of maincrop potatoes can impact yield and marketability for farmers, leading to better income and farm profitability.

mite: a tiny animal of the spider family which may be free-living in the soil or on stored products, or parasitic on animals or plants. Understanding the role and management of mites can help farmers protect their crops and livestock, ensuring better health and productivity.

maltase: an enzyme in the small intestine that converts maltose into glucose. Understanding the role of maltase in digestion can help farmers manage livestock nutrition more effectively, leading to better animal health and productivity.

mycotoxin: a toxin produced by a fungus. Understanding and managing mycotoxins can help farmers protect their crops and livestock, ensuring better health and productivity.

mating: The process of pairing male and female animals for reproduction. Proper management of mating is essential for successful breeding programs and genetic improvement.

Maran: a heavy continental breed of fowl, which has a greyish-brown barred plumage and produces dark brown eggs. Raising Maran chickens can provide farmers with high-quality eggs and meat, contributing to diversified income and improved farm sustainability.

mercuric chloride: same as mercury (II) chloride. Understanding the uses and effects of mercuric chloride can help farmers manage pest control and other applications more effectively.

meat chicken: a chicken which is raised for its meat rather than for its eggs or to produce chicks. Understanding the growth requirements and management of meat chickens can help farmers optimize their poultry production, leading to better yields and profitability.

milk cooler: a stainless steel bulk storage tank, in which milk is cooled by running water passing over the outside of the tank. Proper use and maintenance of milk coolers can ensure better milk quality and safety, contributing to marketability and consumer trust.

Meat and Livestock Commission: an organisation which provides services to livestock breeders, including the evaluation of breeding stock potential and carcass grading and classification. The Commission also carries out various research projects. Its staff also provide services for abattoirs and livestock auction markets. The Commission promotes the sale of British meat. Abbr MLC. Understanding the role of the Meat and Livestock Commission can help farmers access valuable resources and support for improving their livestock production and marketability.

Midterm Review: the review of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union carried out in 2003. Understanding the outcomes of the Midterm Review can help farmers adapt to policy changes and ensure better compliance and sustainability.

mammal: an animal that gives birth to live young, secretes milk to feed them, keeps a constant body temperature and is covered with hair. Class: Mammalia. Understanding the characteristics of mammals can help farmers manage livestock more effectively, ensuring better health and productivity.

manioc: the French name for cassava, used as an animal feedingstuff. Growing manioc can provide a valuable feed source for livestock, particularly in regions where it is a staple crop, improving farm sustainability and reducing feed costs.

Minorca: a breed of poultry, originating in the Mediterranean. The birds are black or white in colour. Raising Minorca chickens can provide farmers with high-quality eggs and meat, contributing to diversified income and improved farm sustainability.

monilia brown rot: same as brown rot. Understanding and managing brown rot can help farmers protect their fruit crops and ensure better yields.

MDC: abbreviation Milk Development Council. Understanding the role of the Milk Development Council can help farmers access resources and support for improving milk production and quality.

mouldboard: the main part of a plough, which turns over the surface soil. Proper maintenance and use of mouldboards can help farmers improve soil cultivation and crop production, ensuring better productivity.

metre: an SI unit of length. The area is four metres by three. Symbol m. Understanding the metric system can help farmers communicate and manage resources more effectively, ensuring better accuracy and efficiency.

myrmecology: the study of ants. Understanding myrmecology can help farmers manage ant populations and protect their crops, ensuring better productivity.

minimum tillage: a method of ploughing in which disturbance of the soil does not affect the deeper layers. The benefits are conservation of organic matter, leading to a better soil structure and less soil erosion, better soil biodiversity and the use of less energy. The disadvantages include the easier germination of grass seeds. Also called min-till. Understanding minimum tillage can help farmers optimize their soil and crop management practices, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

marsh: an area of permanently wet land and the plants that grow on it. Marshes may be fresh water or salt water and tidal or non-tidal. A marsh usually has a soil base, as opposed to a bog or fen, which is composed of peat. Understanding the role of marshes in the ecosystem can help farmers manage wetland areas on their property, contributing to environmental sustainability.

mineral nutrients: nutrients except carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which are inorganic and are absorbed by plants from the soil. Understanding the role of mineral nutrients can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

multi-storey system: a pig-rearing system in which pigs are kept in a building which has several floors or tiers. Understanding multi-storey systems can help farmers manage pig production more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

MLC: abbreviation Meat and Livestock Commission. Understanding the role of the Meat and Livestock Commission can help farmers access valuable resources and support for improving their livestock production and marketability.

muley: a cow or bull which does not have horns. Raising muley cattle can provide farmers with a unique and high-value product, particularly for niche markets interested in hornless breeds.

micronutrient: a nutrient which an organism uses in very small quantities, e.g. iron, zinc or copper. Understanding the role of micronutrients can help farmers manage soil and livestock nutrition more effectively, ensuring better crop and animal health and productivity.

moss: a small flowerless green plant which usually grows in clumps in damp and shaded places. Understanding the role and management of moss can help farmers protect their crops and improve soil health, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

meat-eating animal: same as carnivore. Understanding the dietary needs of meat-eating animals can help farmers manage livestock nutrition more effectively, ensuring better health and productivity.

mountain: land which rises above the surrounding land, forming a natural feature of the landscape. Understanding the characteristics and management of mountain land can help farmers optimize their agricultural practices and improve sustainability.

miscanthus: a plant related to sugar cane that is grown for use as a fuel. Also called elephant grass. Growing miscanthus can provide farmers with a renewable energy source, contributing to environmental sustainability and economic stability.

milk composition: the percentages of protein, lactose, fat, minerals and water which make up milk. The composition varies according to the breed of cow, but average percentages are: protein (3.4%), milk sugar (4.75%), fat (3.75%), minerals (0.75%), water (87.35%). Understanding milk composition can help farmers manage dairy production more effectively, ensuring better quality and marketability.

mast: the small hard fruits that have fallen from a beech tree, used as food by pigs and other animals. Utilizing mast can provide farmers with a natural and cost-effective feed source for livestock.

mesoclimate: the climate over a specific locality such as a hillside or valley, extending no more than a few kilometres in radius. Understanding mesoclimate can help farmers manage microenvironments more effectively, ensuring better crop and livestock productivity.