Category: M

min-till: same as minimum tillage. Understanding min-till can help farmers optimize their soil and crop management practices, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

Multistage: multistage a system in which there are several stages. Understanding multistage systems can help farmers optimize their operations and improve productivity and sustainability.

mariculture: the breeding and keeping of sea fish or shellfish for food in seawater enclosures. Mariculture can provide farmers with a valuable source of income, particularly in coastal regions, contributing to economic diversification and sustainability.

monosomy: a chromosomal defect in which one chromosome of a pair is missing. Understanding and managing monosomy can help farmers improve breeding programs and genetic studies.

market gardener: a person who runs a market garden. Market gardeners play a crucial role in supplying fresh produce to urban areas, contributing to local food security and sustainable agriculture.

maximum residue level: the maximum amount of a pesticide that can remain in crops or foodstuffs under European Union regulations. Abbr MRL. Understanding and adhering to maximum residue levels can help farmers ensure the safety and marketability of their produce.

marram grass: a type of grass planted on sand dunes to prevent them being spread by the wind. Latin name: Ammophila arenaria. Understanding the role of marram grass in soil stabilization can help farmers manage erosion and protect their land.

mesotrophic: referring to water that contains a moderate amount of nutrients. Compare eutrophic, oligotrophic. Understanding the characteristics of mesotrophic water can help farmers manage water resources more effectively, ensuring better crop and livestock health.

market weight: the target weight at which livestock will be sold at market or slaughtered. Understanding and achieving market weight can help farmers maximize their income from livestock production.

monoculture: The cultivation of a single crop in a given area. While efficient, monoculture can lead to soil degradation and increased pest problems, so it’s important to manage it carefully.

monocropping: the practice of growing one type of crop on the same piece of land at the same time. Compare mixed cropping. Understanding monocropping can help farmers manage crop production more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

meta-: prefix 1. changing 2. following. Understanding the uses of the prefix meta- can help farmers and researchers communicate more effectively about genetic and biological processes.

MPLS: same as milk progesterone level test. Understanding the techniques and applications of MPLS can help farmers improve their breeding programs and livestock health.

myriapod: a member of the class Myriapoda, an arthropod with a segmented body, such as a millipede or centipede. Understanding the role and management of myriapods can help farmers protect their crops and ensure better productivity.

mayweed: one of a group of weeds which affect cereals (Chamomilla spp, Anthemis spp, Matricaria spp). The weeds affect winter crops and vegetables, and are found on headlands. They can cause considerable problems to machinery. Also called dogdaisy, wild chamomile. Managing mayweed infestations can help farmers protect their crops and ensure better yields.

monkey puzzle tree: a large tree of Chile and western Argentina, with branches covered with stiff scale-like leaves. Latin name: Araucaria araucana. Also called Chile pine. Understanding the characteristics and uses of monkey puzzle trees can help farmers diversify their timber production and improve marketability.

maple: a hardwood tree of northern temperate regions, some varieties of which produce sweet sap which is used for making sugar and syrup. Genus: Acer. Growing maple trees can provide farmers with a valuable source of timber and maple syrup, contributing to diversified income streams and long-term economic stability.

Malus: the Latin name for the apple tree. Understanding the classification and characteristics of apple trees can help farmers manage orchards more effectively, leading to better fruit yields and income.

multiple resistant: referring to organisms which are resistant to more than one pesticide or antibiotic. Understanding and managing multiple resistance can help farmers protect their crops and livestock, ensuring better health and productivity.

microhabitat: a single small area such as the bark of a tree, where fauna and/or flora live. Also called microenvironment. Understanding microhabitats can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

milky stage: same as milk ripe stage. Understanding the milky stage can help farmers manage grain production more effectively, ensuring better yields and quality.

mezzadria: a system used in Southern Italy, where a vineyard is leased and the landlord is paid a half-share of the wine produced. Understanding the mezzadria system can help farmers manage vineyard operations and leases more effectively, ensuring better productivity and profitability.

MMBM: abbreviation mammalian meat and bone meal. Understanding the uses and nutritional value of MMBM can help farmers provide balanced diets for their livestock, leading to better growth and productivity.

milk goat: a goat which is reared for its milk. Proper care and management of milk goats can ensure better milk yield and quality, contributing to farm profitability and sustainability.

mercury chloride: same as mercury (I) chloride, a poisonous white compound of mercury and chlorine, used as a moss killer and laxative. Formula: Hg2Cl2. Also called mercurous chloride, calomel. Understanding the uses and effects of mercury chloride can help farmers manage pest control and other applications more effectively.

mohair: fine wool from a goat, over 30 microns. Compare cashmere. Understanding the characteristics and marketability of mohair can help farmers optimize their wool production and income.

mange: a skin disease of hairy or woolly animals, caused by mites, including Sarcoptes, the itch mite. Managing and preventing mange is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock, reducing mortality rates and ensuring better economic outcomes for farmers.

MS: same as magnesium sulfate. Understanding the uses and effects of magnesium sulfate can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

morgan: a breed of horse which was first bred in the USA in the 19th century as a saddle horse. Raising Morgan horses can provide farmers with a unique and high-value product, particularly for niche markets interested in specialty breeds.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food: the former UK government department with responsibility for agricultural and food matters. Understanding the role and history of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food can help farmers adapt to policy changes and improve marketability.

malting barley: best-quality barley used for malting. Choosing the right variety of malting barley can impact yield and marketability for farmers, leading to better income and farm profitability.

muzzle: the nose and mouth of an animal such as a dog or horse. Proper care and management of muzzles can help farmers ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.

marshy soil: a very wet soil. Managing marshy soil can help farmers improve drainage and land productivity, leading to better crop yields.

mineral matter content: the amount of minerals found in plants. Understanding mineral matter content can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

manure cycle: the process by which waste materials from plants, animals and humans are returned to the soil to restore nutrients. Understanding and managing the manure cycle can help farmers maintain soil health and fertility, leading to better crop yields and farm sustainability.

matted: with many fibers woven together. Managing matted fibers in livestock can help farmers maintain the quality of wool and other products, ensuring better marketability.

marsh spot: a disease affecting peas, caused by manganese deficiency. Understanding and managing marsh spot can help farmers protect their pea crops and ensure better yields.

mollusc: a type of animal that has a soft body, sometimes protected by a shell, such as a snail or slug. Understanding the role and management of molluscs can help farmers protect their crops and ensure better productivity.

moisture holding capacity: the amount of water that a soil can hold. Abbr MHC. Understanding moisture holding capacity can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

milker: 1. a cow which is giving milk 2. a cow which is kept for milk 3. a farmworker who supervises the milking of cows 4. the part of the milking machine which is attached to the cow’s teats with teat cups. Proper management of milkers can ensure better milk yield and quality, contributing to farm profitability and sustainability.

Manx Loghtan: a rare breed of sheep, which is native to the Isle of Man. The wool is mouse-brown and the animals are multi-horned. Raising Manx Loghtan sheep can provide farmers with a unique and high-value product, particularly for niche markets interested in rare breeds and specialty wool.

male: referring to an animal that produces sperm or a flower that produces pollen. Understanding the role of male plants and animals in reproduction can help farmers manage breeding programs more effectively, leading to better crop and livestock productivity.

Master of Foxhounds Association: a group which provides information to foxhunters and hunt leaders. Abbr MFHA. Understanding the role of the Master of Foxhounds Association can help farmers engaged in foxhunting activities manage their operations more effectively.

mower: a machine which cuts grass or cereal crops, or cuts them and drops them onto the ground. Proper use and maintenance of mowers can help farmers manage crop and pasture health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

microenvironment: same as microhabitat. Understanding microenvironments can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

metritis: an infection of the lining of the womb in cattle, the symptoms of which are a white discharge and/or a high temperature. Also called whites. Understanding and managing metritis can help farmers ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.

meadow fescue: a perennial grass (Festuca pratensis) which has considerable importance for hay and grazing. It is a highly productive grass which flourishes when sown with Timothy. Growing meadow fescue can provide farmers with a valuable forage crop, improving livestock nutrition and farm sustainability.

manive: cassava meal, used as an animal feedingstuff. Using manive can provide a nutritious and cost-effective feed option for livestock, supporting their growth and health.

microbial protein: a protein source in ruminants from dead rumen microbes, usually forming 70% to 100% of the ruminant’s supply of protein. Understanding the role of microbial protein can help farmers manage livestock nutrition more effectively, ensuring better growth and productivity.

manure: Animal dung used as organic fertilizer. Applying manure enriches soil with nutrients and improves soil structure, promoting healthy crop growth.