M

moisture deficit: the difference between the amount of water in the soil and the amount needed by the crop. Understanding moisture deficit can help farmers manage irrigation and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

milo: US sorghum. Understanding the characteristics and uses of milo can help farmers optimize their grain production and marketability, ensuring better profitability.

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

mecoprop: a commonly used herbicide, mostly used to control weeds in cereal and grass crops, that is found as a contaminant of water. Abbr MCPP, CMPP. Understanding the application and effects of mecoprop can help farmers manage weed infestations more effectively, ensuring better crop health and yields.

metabolism: the chemical processes of breaking down or building up organic compounds in organisms. Metabolism covers all changes which take place in the body: the building of tissue (anabolism), the breaking down of tissue (catabolism), the conversion of nutrients into tissue, the elimination of waste matter and the action of hormones. Understanding metabolism can help farmers manage livestock nutrition and health more effectively, ensuring better growth and productivity.

mosaic: a disease caused by a virus which attacks various plants including sugar beet, potatoes, tobacco and turnips. Understanding and managing mosaic can help farmers protect their crops and ensure better yields.

mangetout: a variety of pea, which is picked before the seeds are developed, and of which the whole pod is cooked and eaten. Growing mangetout can provide a high-value crop for farmers, especially in markets where fresh vegetables are in demand, leading to better income and profitability.

moss killer: a compound that kills mosses, usually based on iron sulfate. Understanding the application and effects of moss killers can help farmers manage moss infestations more effectively, ensuring better crop health and yields.

machinery syndicate: a group of farmers who join together to buy very large items of equipment, which they can use in turn. This can benefit farmers by reducing the individual cost burden of expensive machinery, allowing access to high-quality equipment that they might not afford alone, leading to increased efficiency and productivity on their farms.

martingale: a device used to regulate the way a horse carries its head. It consists of a strap or straps, attached to the girth at one end, and at the other to the reins or to the noseband. Using a martingale can help farmers ensure better control and training of their horses.