M

malt culms: roots and shoots of partly germinated malting barley. A by-product of the malting process, the culms are used as a feedingstuff for livestock. Utilizing malt culms can provide an additional feed source for livestock, reducing feed costs and improving farm sustainability.

miscarry: same as abort. Understanding and managing miscarriage can help farmers ensure the health and productivity of their livestock.

ME: abbreviation 1. metabolisable energy levels in concentrates 2. metabolised energy. Understanding metabolisable energy can help farmers manage livestock nutrition more effectively, ensuring better growth and productivity.

milking parlour: a building in which cows are milked, and often are also fed, washed and cleaned. There are four basic designs of parlour: the herringbone parlour, where the cow stands at an angle of 45° to the milker, is commonest for large herds; the abreast parlour, where the cows stand side by side with their backs to the milker; the tandem parlour where they stand in line with their sides to the milker; the most expensive and complex of the four systems is the rotary parlour, where the cows stand on a rotating platform with the milker in the middle. Proper management of milking parlours can ensure better milk quality and yield, contributing to farm profitability and sustainability.

mixed grazing: a grazing system where more than one type of animal grazes the same pasture at the same time. Mixed grazing regimes provide a range of sward lengths which are attractive areas for birds to nest and feed and encourage regeneration of grassland and moorland areas. Understanding mixed grazing can help farmers optimize their livestock management practices, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

milk sugar: same as lactose. Understanding the role of lactose in milk can help farmers manage dairy production more effectively, ensuring better quality and marketability.

marine flora: the plants that live in the sea. Understanding marine flora can help farmers engaged in mariculture manage their resources more effectively, ensuring better productivity and environmental sustainability.

mealworm: the larva of various beetles of the genus Tenebrio that infests and pollutes grain products. Managing mealworm infestations can help farmers protect their grain products and ensure better storage and marketability.

metaldehyde: a substance used in the form of pellets to kill slugs and snails, or in the form of small blocks to light fires. Understanding the application and effects of metaldehyde can help farmers manage pest infestations more effectively, ensuring better crop health and yields.

milch cow: a cow which gives milk or is kept for milk production. Proper care and management of milch cows can ensure better milk yield and quality, contributing to farm profitability and sustainability.