M

Mn: symbol manganese. Understanding the role of manganese in soil and livestock nutrition can help farmers prevent deficiencies and ensure better crop and animal health and productivity.

maw: a stomach, especially the last of a ruminant’s four stomachs. Understanding the function of the maw can help farmers manage livestock nutrition more effectively, ensuring better digestion and health.

monophyletic: derived from a single ancestral type. Understanding monophyletic relationships can help farmers improve their breeding programs and ensure better genetic diversity and productivity.

mulch: A layer of material applied to the surface of soil to conserve moisture, improve fertility, and reduce weed growth. Using mulch can enhance soil health and crop yields.

management practice: practical ways of using management decisions to organise the use of resources or materials. ‘Vaccination of ewes and lambs is one of the more common management practices performed by sheep producers each and every year. Some producers will vaccinate their flock for “everything”, while others choose a more conservative approach.’ [Farmers Guardian]. Understanding and implementing effective management practices can help farmers improve productivity and sustainability.

monera: same as prokaryote. Understanding the role and characteristics of prokaryotes can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

mycelium: the main part of a fungus, a mass of hyphae that grows underground or in wood. Understanding the role of mycelium can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

mastitis-metritis-agalactia: full form of MMA. Understanding and managing mastitis-metritis-agalactia is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of livestock, reducing mortality rates and ensuring better economic outcomes for farmers.

maltose: a sugar formed by digesting starch or glycogen. Understanding the role of maltose in livestock nutrition can help farmers manage animal diets more effectively, leading to better growth and productivity.

moisture content: the percentage of water contained in something such as the soil, hay or straw. Understanding moisture content can help farmers manage irrigation, crop storage, and livestock feed more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.