M

mixed woodland: a wooded area where neither conifers nor broadleaved trees account for more than 75% of the total. Understanding mixed woodland can help farmers manage forest resources more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

mat: a covering of undecayed grassland vegetation which forms on very acid soil, when the soil lacks the microorganisms necessary to break decaying matter down. Managing mats can help farmers improve soil health and productivity, leading to better crop yields.

Milk Marketing Board: until 1994, the board which organised the collection and buying of milk from farmers and its sale to customers. Understanding the role and history of the Milk Marketing Board can help farmers adapt to changes in the dairy industry and improve marketability.

Montgomery: A type of cheddar cheese, one of the best British farmhouse cheeses, matured for 15 months and producing a tangy flavour with a crumbly texture. Understanding the characteristics and marketability of Montgomery cheese can help farmers optimize their dairy production and income.

mechanically recovered meat: the scraps of meat which remain on an animal’s carcass after the prime cuts have been removed, which are removed using machinery, ground and used as cheap filler for burgers, pies, sausages, etc. Abbr MRM. Understanding the uses and regulations of mechanically recovered meat can help farmers maximize the value of their livestock products.

malt: best-quality barley grains which have been through the malting process and are used in breweries to make beer and in distilleries to make whisky. Understanding the malting process and the quality requirements for malt can help farmers produce high-value barley, leading to better marketability and income.

maize: a tall cereal crop grown in warm climates, that carries its grains on a large solid core (cob) of which there are only one or two per plant. Maize is grown for making silage, or for harvesting as ripened grain; some is grazed or cut as a forage crop, while a small proportion is sold for human consumption as ‘corn on the cob’. Maize needs rich deep well-drained soils and ideally a frost-free growing season with a lot of sunshine before harvest. Understanding the cultivation requirements and uses of maize can help farmers maximize their crop yield and profitability.

monoploid: a cell that has only one set of chromosomes. Compare diploid, polyploid. Understanding the characteristics and applications of monoploid cells can help farmers and researchers improve breeding programs and genetic studies.

manager: a person who is in charge of an organisation or part of one. Effective managers can help optimize farm operations and improve productivity and profitability.

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