M

mildew: a disease caused by a fungus which produces a fine powdery film on the surface of an organism. Understanding and managing mildew can help farmers protect their crops and ensure better yields.

malted meal: a brown wheat flour mixed with flour made from barley. Understanding the uses of malted meal can help farmers diversify their products and find new market opportunities.

milking machine: a machine which imitates the sucking action of a calf, used to extract milk from the cow’s udder. It uses a pulsator mechanism to apply pressure to the teats, causing the release of the milk. The milk is then passed into a collecting jar or may pass by pipeline to a large tank. Proper use and maintenance of milking machines can ensure better milk quality and yield, contributing to farm profitability and sustainability.

multipurpose breed: a breed of animal such as the Large White pig which can be used for various purposes, e.g. milk production, draught or meat production. Understanding the characteristics and uses of multipurpose breeds can help farmers optimize their livestock production and marketability, ensuring better profitability.

mull: neutral humus. Compare moder, mor. Understanding the role of mull in soil health can help farmers manage soil fertility more effectively, ensuring better crop yields.

Moiled: Irish Moiled. Understanding the characteristics and uses of Irish Moiled cattle can help farmers optimize their livestock production and marketability, ensuring better profitability.

Masham: a crossbred type of sheep which results from a Wensleydale or Teeswater ram mated with a hill ewe of the Swaledale type and has black markings on the face and legs. The breed is an economical ewe with a good lambing average and a useful fleece. Raising Masham sheep can provide farmers with a versatile and productive breed, contributing to better income and farm sustainability.

mattock: a heavy hoe. Using a mattock can help farmers manage soil and crop cultivation more effectively, leading to better farm productivity.

multicell: referring to crops that are planted in clusters of seeds, which are thinned to allow the strongest plants to develop. Understanding multicell planting can help farmers optimize their crop production and improve yields and sustainability.

margin over purchased feed: the amount of money received for produce such as per litre of milk, shown as a percentage above the amount spent in purchasing feed for the animals. Abbr MOPF. Understanding margin over purchased feed can help farmers manage their costs and improve profitability.