Glossary Entries beginning with M

	Cooperative Extension Service





Cooperative Extension Service	Agricultural Experiment Station
Search \| Publications \| Jobs \| Personnel Directory \| Links

Glossary of Agricultural Production, Programs and Policy

4th Edition

[0 to 9] | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
M

Return to the Main Index Page

MERCOSUR

The Common Market of the Southern Cone (also known as the Treaty of Asunción); a customs union created on March 26, 1991, between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
See Also:
Common Market. customs union.

Maastrict Treaty

See 1992 Maastricht Treaty on European Union Agreement (Maastricht Treaty).
See Also:
1992 Maastricht Treaty on European Union Agreement (Maastricht Treaty).

Macronutrient(s)

A vital element required by plants, in proportionately larger amounts, for healthy plant growth. Macronutrients include nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P), as well as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S). See Micronutrient(s).
See Also:
Micronutrient(s). nitrogen. phosphorus. plant. potassium.

Mad cow disease

See Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
See Also:
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).

Madigan Award

See Edward R. Madigan Agricultural Export Excellence Award.
See Also:
Edward R. Madigan Agricultural Export Excellence Award.

Mailbox price (dairy)

The net price received by dairy producers for milk including all payments received for milk sold and deducting the cost associated with marketing the milk.
See Also:
marketing.

Mainland allotments (sugar)

See Sugar (marketing) allotment(s).
See Also:
Sugar (marketing) allotment(s).

Mainland state(s)

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 1403), for purposes of the flexible marketing allotments for sugar, all sugarcane-producing states except for the offshore states of Hawaii and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.See Sugar (marketing) allotment(s).
See Also:
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Sugar (marketing) allotment(s).

Major crops

Include almonds, apples, barley, canola, carrots, corn (field and sweet), cotton, grapes, hay (alfalfa and other), lettuce, oats, oranges, peanuts, pecans, popcorn, rice, rye, snapbeans, grain sorghum, soybeans, sugarcane, sugarbeets,tobacco, tomatoes, sunflowers, and wheat. See Minor crops.
See Also:
alfalfa. barley. canola. cotton. grain sorghum. hay. Minor crops. rye. sunflowers. tobacco.

Major land resource area (MLRA)

A geographic area, usually several thousand acres in extent, that is characterized by a particular pattern of soils, climate, water resources, land uses, and type of farming.
See Also:
resources.

Major sugar countries

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 1401(c)(4)(B)), countries of the European Union and the ten foreign countries not covered by the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture that the USDA determines produce the greatest quantities of sugar.
See Also:
European Union. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Make allowance

In determining theClass III price and Class IV price, the USDA uses a monthly survey of the wholesale price and determines the farm value of the milk that went into the manufacturing of the cheese and butter (the weighted average of the most recent California Department of Food and Agriculture study and the Rural Business Cooperative Service study). Before determining the farm value, the formula subtracts from the wholesale price of cheese or butter a make allowance that represents the cost to processors for converting the milk into cheese or butter. There is an inverse relationship between the make allowance and the Class III price and Class IV price; that is, the higher the make allowance is set, the lower the minimum Class III price or Class IV price paid to producers. Since the higher of the Class III or Class IV price is also used as the base price for Class I milk, it might also mean lower prices for Class I milk.
See Also:
base price. Class III. Class III price. Class IV price. farm.

Making Continuing Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 1987, and for Other Purposes (P.L. 99-591)

Signed into law October 30, 1986. The law, in addition to providing funding for federal programs, modified the Food Security Act of 1985 by limiting program payments to $50,000 per person for deficiency payments and paid land diversion payments, and included honey, resource adjustment (excluding land diversion), disaster, and Findley payments under a $250,000 payment limitation.
See Also:
disaster. Food Security Act of 1985. payment limitation. payments. program.

Malt

A grain, usually barley, that has been germinated through a soaking process and then dried. Malt is used in brewing and distilling, and as a nutrient additive.
See Also:
additive. barley. grain. nutrient. process.

Man day

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, any day one worker works for at least one hour.
See Also:
Fair Labor Standards Act.

Managed account

See Discretionary account.
See Also:
Discretionary account.

Managed grazing

The division of pasture into smaller paddocks, often using portable fencing so that one paddock can be grazed for a time while the remaining paddocks rest and recover. Also rotational grazing, grass-based farming, management-intensive grazing, and prescribed grazing.
See Also:
grass-based farming. management-intensive grazing. paddock. pasture. prescribed grazing. rotational grazing.

Managed harvest (timber)

The estimated volume of timber on commercial forest land that could be cut annually for the next ten years while improving tree stocking and bringing about a more even distribution of age classes. The annual managed harvest is considered separate from harvest cuttings and thinnings, and is determined by computer using an area control system that specifies the number of acres to be cut annually.
See Also:
age. forest land.

Management-intensive grazing

SeeManaged grazing.
See Also:
Managed grazing.

Mandatory entry

Under previous farm bill authority, the USDA had to make Farmer-Owned Reserve (FOR) loans available to producers of wheat and feedgrains if the average market price for the respective crops of wheat or corn, during an applicable 90-day period, was less than 120 percent of the current loan rate and stocks-to-use levels (37.5 percent for wheat and 22.5 percent for corn) were above the threshold amount. The FORwas suspended by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.
See Also:
farm bill. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. FOR. loan rate. market price. stocks-to-use.

Mandatory grant(s)

A grant that a federal agency is required by statue to award if the recipients meet the eligibility and compliance requirements. The amount of the award is usually determined by measuring need based on such factors as population, per capita income, and various program-specific factors. These grants are typically awarded to state governments and sometimes to other entities. They include open-ended grants, close-ended grants, and block grants. See Grant(s).
See Also:
grant. Grant(s). program.

Mandatory inspection (grain)

See Grain inspection.
See Also:
Grain inspection.

Mandatory program(s)

A program that requires all producers to participate if they wish to produce and market a designated commodity without prohibitive penalty. The U.S. tobacco programand peanut program are examples of mandatory programs.
See Also:
commodity. market. peanut. program. tobacco.

Mandatory spending

Funding provided by permanent law rather than annual appropriations. See Discretionary spending.
See Also:
Discretionary spending.

Mandatory spending (agriculture)

Approximately three-fourths of total USDA spending is classified as mandatory, which by definition occurs outside the control of annual appropriations. Eligibility for mandatory programs is usually written into authorizing law, and any individual or entity that meets the eligibility requirements is theoretically entitled to the benefits authorized by the law. Currently accounting for the vast majority of USDA mandatory spending are the Food Stamp Program (nearly one-half of total USDA mandatory spending), child nutrition programs, the farm commodity price-support programs and income support programs, the Federal Crop Insurance program, and the Conservation Reserve Program. See Entitlement(s).
See Also:
authorized. child nutrition programs. commodity. Conservation Reserve Program. Entitlement(s). farm. Federal Crop Insurance program. Food Stamp Program. mandatory spending.

Mandatory supply control(s)

A program that would prohibit producers from producing or selling more than specified amounts of certain commodities without penalty. All producers of any controlled commodity would be required to participate, with fines or other legal penalties used to enforce restrictions.
See Also:
commodity. program.

Manufactured class

Under milk marketing orders, Class II, Class III, and Class IV products.
See Also:
Class II. Class III. Class IV.

Manufactured dairy product(s)

Products that include butter; natural or processed cheese; manufacturing milk or manufacturing cream; dried, frozen, evaporated, stabilized or condensed milk products; frozen desserts; dry whey; and dry buttermilk. Also Manufactured milk products. See Dairy products (eligible), Manufacturing (grade) milk, and Storable manufactured dairy products.
See Also:
Dairy products (eligible). Manufactured milk products. Manufacturing (grade) milk. processed. Storable manufactured dairy products. whey.

Manufactured milk products

See Manufactured dairy product(s).
See Also:
Manufactured dairy product(s).

Manufacturing (grade) milk

Grade B milk or the Grade A milk assigned to Class II, Class III, and Class IV, or otherwise used in the production of manufactured milk products. See Dairy products (eligible), Manufactured dairy product(s), and Storable manufactured dairy products.
See Also:
Class II. Class III. Class IV. Dairy products (eligible). Grade A milk. Grade B milk. Manufactured dairy product(s). manufactured milk products. Storable manufactured dairy products.

Manure storage facility

A permanent structure or facility, or portion of a structure or facility, utilized for the primary purpose of containing raw or untreated manure.

Marbling

The intermingling of white flecks of fat within the meat muscle (lean). The greater the amount of marbling, the higher the grade because marbling makes meat more tender, flavorful, and juicy. Although consumers equate marbling with palatability and tenderness, increasing concerns regarding animal fat in the diet have caused consumers to place greater weight on the perceived health benefit from fat reduction than on assurances of tenderness or palatability. Consequently, consumers now demand minimal visual fat, while still desiring a palatable product. Also intramuscular fat.
See Also:
grade. intramuscular fat. lean. meat. muscle. palatability.

Mare

A female horse that is older than four years of age.

Marek's disease

A cancer disease of poultry.
See Also:
poultry.

Margin

In a cooperative, monies in excess of net operating costs.
See Also:
cooperative.

Margin (deposit)

In commodity options or futures trading, earnest money deposited with a brokerage firm when a position is taken in the options and futures market. Margins generally run about 10 percent of contract value and must be maintained at a specified minimum level while the trade or hedge exists. See Clearing margin(s), and Customer margin(s).
See Also:
Clearing margin(s). contract. Customer margin(s). futures market. futures trading. hedge. options.

Margin call(s)

In commodity options or futures trading, a call for additional margin from a clearinghouse to a clearing member or from a brokerage firm to a customer when funds in a futures or hedging account fall below levels required by a brokerage firm. Margin minimums are set by the exchanges. However, a brokerage firm can set them above the minimum.
See Also:
clearing member. clearinghouse. futures. futures trading. Margin.

Mariculture

Marine (ocean) aquaculture; farming the sea for plant and animal crops that are valuable as food or for industrial processes.
See Also:
aquaculture. plant.

Marine leg

A steeply inclined conveyor belt with scoops bolted on it that is used to scoop grain out of a barge and elevate it. See Belt(s),Leg, Sampler, and Tripper.
See Also:
Belt(s). grain. Leg. Sampler. Tripper.

Mark

See Marking, and Official inspection legend.
See Also:
Official inspection legend.

Market Access Program (MAP)

A program authorized by the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (Sec. 203) and formerly known as the Market Promotion Program. The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 renamed this nonprice promotion program and authorized spending of up to $90 million annually through FY2002. The FAIR Act prohibited the provision of direct branded product assistance to foreign companies promoting foreign-produced products or to companies not recognized by the Small Business Administration as small businesses (with the exception of cooperatives, associations of agricultural producers, and nonprofit trade associations). Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 3103), the authorized spending level was gradually increased up to $200 million per year by FY2006 and FY2007. Also, for funding in excess of the FY2001 level, equal consideration will be given to both organizations that have participated and those that have not participated in the past and to activities in both emerging markets and markets other than emerging markets. The program uses funds from the Commodity Credit Corporationand is administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service. Market promotion programs are not subject to Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture restrictions. See Market Promotion Program (MPP).
See Also:
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978. authorized. Commodity Credit Corporation. emerging markets. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Foreign Agricultural Service. Market. Market Promotion Program. Market Promotion Program (MPP). nonprice promotion program. program.

Market Development Cooperator Program

See Foreign Market Development Program (Cooperator Program) (FMD) (FMDCP).
See Also:
Foreign Market Development Program (Cooperator Program) (FMD) (FMDCP).

Market Development and Expansion program

AForest Service program under the Economic Action Programs initiative that helps develop new markets for forest-based goods and services.
See Also:
Economic Action Programs.

Market News (Service)

The Agricultural Marketing Serviceprovides current, unbiased price and sales information to assist in the orderly marketing and distribution of farm commodities. Reports include information on prices, volume, quality, condition, and other market data on farm products in specific markets and marketing areas. Reports cover both domestic and international markets. The data is disseminated within hours of collection via the internet and made available through electronic means, in printed reports, by telephone recordings, and through the news media.
See Also:
Agricultural Marketing Service. farm. market. marketing.

Market Promotion Program (MPP)

An export promotion program authorized by the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (Sec. 203) and first established as the Targeted Export Assistance (TEA) Program under the Food Security Act of 1985. It was reauthorized in the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 and renamed the Market Promotion Program. The MPP was designed to encourage development, maintenance, and expansion of commercial farm export markets. Unlike TEA, the MPP did not restrict assistance to U.S. producer groups or regional organizations whose exports had been adversely affected by a foreign government's policies, although these cases received the highest priority. The program promoted exports of specific U.S. commodities or products in specific markets. Under the program, eligible participants received generic commodity certificates in payment for promotional activities approved by the USDA. The program was reauthorized again in the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 and renamed the Market Access Program.
See Also:
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978. authorized. eligible. export. farm. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Food Security Act of 1985. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. Market Access Program. producer. program. promotion program. TEA.

Market access

The extent to which a country permits imports. A variety of tariffand nontariff trade barriers can be used to limit the entry of foreign products.
See Also:
nontariff trade barriers. tariff.

Market administrator (milk)

The administrator of each federal milk marketing order. The duties performed by the market administrator are specified in each order. These duties include computing and publishing class and uniform prices as well as other required prices and butterfat differentials, verifying handler reports and payments, preparing statistics and information concerning operations under the order, keeping records and books that clearly reflect the transactions provided for in the order, and disseminating this information to the public. The market administrator also receives and investigates any complaints of violations of the order.
See Also:
butterfat. class. federal milk marketing order. handler. order.

Market agency(ies)

Under provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, any person engaged in the business of (a) buying or selling livestock in commerce on a commission basis, or (b) furnishing stockyard services.
See Also:
livestock. Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921. stockyard services.

Market allocation

A quantity provision in a fruit and vegetable marketing order specifying the maximum quantity that can be sold for a given use or market. See Allocation.
See Also:
Allocation. market. marketing order.

Market basket of farm foods

The average quantities of U.S. farm foods purchased annually per household in a given period. The retail cost of these foods is used as a basis for computing an index of retail prices for domestically produced farm foods. Excluded are fishery products, imported foods, and meals eaten away from home.
See Also:
farm.

Market economy

The national economy of a country that relies heavily upon market forces to determine levels of production, consumption, investment, and savings without government intervention.
See Also:
market.

Market gain

See Market loan repayment (provision) (MLR).
See Also:
Market loan repayment (provision) (MLR).

Market hog(s)

See Butcher hog(s).
See Also:
Butcher hog(s).

Market livestock

Livestock that will not be used for breeding purposes.
See Also:
breeding. Livestock.

Market loan repayment (provision) (MLR)

See Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR).
See Also:
Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR).

Market loss (assistance) payments

See Marketing loss (assistance) payments.
See Also:
Marketing loss (assistance) payments.

Market order

In commodity futures trading, an immediate order to buy or sell a futures contract. See Stop order, Stop-limit order, and Time-limit order.
See Also:
commodity futures trading. futures contract. Stop order. Stop-limit order. Time-limit order.

Market price(s)

The amount received or paid for a unit of a commodity. Most market prices for U.S. agricultural commodities are quoted in pounds, bushels, dozens, quarts, gallons, tons, or hundredweight. Other countries use different measures including grams, kilograms, liters, and long tons. See Weights, measures, and conversion factors.
See Also:
commodity. hundredweight. market. Weights, measures, and conversion factors.

Market risk

The perils that affect the prices received for a farm's production, and the prices paid for the inputs used in producing farm commodities.

Market service association (bargaining association)

A service-type bargaining association that generally is involved with providing market supply and demand data to its members on a timely basis. This type bargaining associationis more accurately describedas the forerunner to a full-fledged bargaining association. The service organization does not engage in direct bargaining with buyers, but will maintain contacts with the trade to keep up to date with marketing and buying activities.
See Also:
bargaining association. marketing.

Market share

A proportion of the total sales or business in a given market.

Market shed

The area where the producers are located who supply a given city or metropolitan area with practically all the milk used for table purposes.

Market support tools

Activities of a research and promotion order or a marketing order that attempt to influence demand through improving both the buyers' and sellers' knowledge of a product's availability and uses.
See Also:
marketing order. research and promotion order.

Market viability grants

See Farm Viability Program.
See Also:
Farm Viability Program.

Market(s)

(1) To dispose of commodities in raw or processed form by voluntary or involuntary sale, barter, exchange, gift inter vivos, or by feeding to poultry or livestock. (2) A place for the establishment of prices for commodities bought and sold. (3) The potential universe of buyers and customers. (4) The bringing together of buyers and sellers. See Marketing.
See Also:
livestock. Marketing. poultry. processed.

Market-oriented farm policy

See Free market.
See Also:
Free market.

Marketing

The process of conceiving, planning, and executing the pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational goals.

Marketing Orders and Agreements

An account under Title I, Agricultural Programs, of agricultural appropriations. SeeSection 32.
See Also:
agricultural appropriations. Agricultural Programs. Section 32.

Marketing Services

See Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
See Also:
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

Marketing agreement(s) and order(s)

See Federal marketing order(s) and agreement(s).
See Also:
Federal marketing order(s) and agreement(s).

Marketing agreements

See Federal marketing order(s) and agreement(s).
See Also:
Federal marketing order(s) and agreement(s).

Marketing allotment(s) (sugar)

See Sugar (marketing) allotment(s).
See Also:
Sugar (marketing) allotment(s).

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

The USDA mission area that includes the Agricultural Marketing Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
See Also:
Agricultural Marketing Service. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. mission area.

Marketing area

The geographic territory covered by a federal milk marketing order in which the handling of milk is subject to the terms of a marketing order. The area is clearly specified in the marketing order. Milk dealers conducting business in the area are subject to regulation.
See Also:
federal milk marketing order. handling. marketing order.

Marketing assessment(s)

See Assessment(s) program(s), Peanut marketing assessment(s),and Sugar marketing assessment(s).
See Also:
Peanut marketing assessment(s). Sugar marketing assessment(s).

Marketing assistance loan(s)

See Nonrecourse loan(s).
See Also:
Nonrecourse loan(s).

Marketing associations (cotton)

Traditionally, farmer-owned organizations that sell cotton produced by the member producers to millsoverseas.
See Also:
cotton.

Marketing associations (peanuts)

Under the formerpeanut program, three regional marketing associations administered the program acting as agents for the USDA. The associations kept records of quota and additional peanuts marketing, arranged warehousing for Commodity Credit Corporation loan peanuts, and operated the price-support loan program. Each regional marketing association sold and disposed of acquired quota peanuts at not less than specified price levels and of acquired additional peanuts at market prices. To get the support price, a producer placed peanuts in storage arranged by the regional marketing association. Once completed, the producer no longer had control over the peanuts; they were part of a pool controlled by the marketing association and the CCC. The regional marketing associations operated independently although they shared in each others' losses. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 eliminated the peanut ain quotasystem. Producers can receive nonrecourse marketing assistance loans or loan deficiency payments through either an approved marketing association or directly from the Farm Service Agency. See Cooperative Marketing Association Program (CMA).
See Also:
CCC. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Farm Service Agency. marketing. nonrecourse marketing assistance loans. peanut. pool. producer. program. quota. quota peanuts. storage. support price.

Marketing associations (tobacco)

See Price stabilization cooperative(s).
See Also:
Price stabilization cooperative(s).

Marketing board

(1) A major form of government involvement in commodity marketing in some countries such as Canada and Australia. These boards generally handle all export sales for the commodity. They may administer provisions to guarantee producers a minimum price each year based on the cost of production, or provide an initial minimum price with supplemental payments later based on export sales. Boards may oversee a two-price plan in which domestic prices differ from the export price. Canada and Australia use marketing boards for selected grains, and Australia operates a wool marketing board. (2) A central government authority that directs the marketing of a commodity. Export management is the most frequently performed function. Producers give up their right to the commodity at harvest; all storage and marketing functions are managed by the government authority. Producers receive an advance on commodities delivered or stored on the farm, with subsequent payments being made as marketing is completed. All producers receive the same price, adjusted for location and quality differences. Marketing boards have traditionally been used in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia but never in the U.S.
See Also:
commodity. Export. farm. grains. marketing. storage. two-price plan. wool.

Marketing cards (peanuts)

See Marketing cards (tobacco), Peanut commodity card,andSmart cards (peanuts).
See Also:
Smart cards (peanuts).

Marketing cards (tobacco)

A card that identifies the farm, producer, and pounds available to sell. The marketing card is brought to the warehouse and presented prior to auction. Each sales invoice is imprinted with the card at the time the tobacco is weighed. The Farm Service Agency marks tobacco crop marketing cards when advancing loan funds or subordinating crop liens for the purpose of financing the production of the crops. See Marketing cards (peanuts).
See Also:
auction. farm. Farm Service Agency. loan. marketing. Marketing cards (peanuts). producer. tobacco. warehouse.

Marketing certificates

Certificates that have been issued by the USDA as part of a price-support program. These may be redeemed for cash or commodities, depending on the specific provisions of the program. Such certificates may be generic or for a specific commodity. SeeGeneric commodity certificate(s).
See Also:
commodity. Generic commodity certificate(s). price-support program. program.

Marketing contract(s)

Verbal or written agreements between a contractor and a producer establishing a price formula in advance of the product being delivered. Under marketing contracts, the contractee (producer) retains ownership of the product and has a large degree of decision-making control over the production process, but has a known market and price. The majority of marketing contracts involve fruit and vegetable production. SeeContract farming, and Production contract(s).
See Also:
Contract farming. market. marketing. producer. Production contract(s).

Marketing loan gain(s) (MLG)

Any portion of the interest and principal of a marketing assistance loan that does not have to be repaid because of market loan repayment provisions. The portion of a loan, if any, that is waived when a loan is repaid (at the posted county price or adjusted world price instead of the loan rate) is referred to as a marketing loan gain for the producer.
See Also:
adjusted world price. loan. loan rate. marketing. marketing loan. posted county price. producer.

Marketing loan program

A program first authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985 that allowed producers to repay nonrecourse loans at less than the announced loan rates whenever the world price for the commodity was less than the loan rate. Under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, marketing loan programs were mandatory for soybeans and other oilseeds, upland cotton, and rice, and discretionary for wheat and feed grains. For example, a rice producer could place a hundredweight of rice under loan and receive the nonrecourse loan rate of $6.50. If the world price, adjusted to the farm level, was less than $6.50 per hundredweight (i.e., $5.00), then the producer could satisfy the terms of the loan and regain clear title to the crop by repaying $5.00 to the Commodity Credit Corporation. Marketing loans protect producer returns while modifying the price-supporting function of the nonrecourse loan program, if such function should be a deterrent to exports. Marketing loan provisions under the new market loan repayment program were maintained in the Federal Agriculture Improvements and Reform Act of 1996 for wheat, feedgrains, soybeans, cotton, and rice, and in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 for covered commodities and peanuts, wool, mohair, honey, small chickpeas, lentils, and dry peas. See Adjusted world price (AWP), Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR), and Posted county price (PCP).
See Also:
Adjusted world price (AWP). authorized. chickpeas. commodity. Commodity Credit Corporation. cotton. dry peas. farm. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. feed grains. Food Security Act of 1985. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. hundredweight. lentils. loan. loan rate. Marketing loan. Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR). mohair. nonrecourse loan. oilseeds. Posted county price (PCP). producer. program. under loan. upland cotton. wool. world price.

Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR)

Under the Federal Agriculture Improvements and Reform Act of 1996, the provision available for loan-eligible commodities except extra-long staple cotton; the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 maintained eligibility for covered commodities and extended coverage to peanuts, wool, mohair, honey, small chickpeas, lentils, and dry peas. Under certain circumstances, nonrecourse loans may be repaid by a producer at less than the principal, accrued interest, and other charges. Market loan repayment provisions are designed to prevent the forfeiture of loan collateral. To be eligible for the MLR, the nonrecourse loan must not have matured. Market loan repayment provisions are active when the applicable alternative loan repayment rate is less than the nonrecourse loan principal plus interest and other charges (and in the case of upland cotton, the per unit storage costs for a given outstanding loan). When using commodity certificates purchased from Farm Service Agency at the market price to repay aloan, the marketing loan gain does not count against the $75,000 per person payment limitation. Also Market loan repayment (provision) (MLR). See Actual loan repayment rate, Adjusted world price (AWP), Alternative (loan) repayment rate, Applicable alternative loan repayment rate, Nonrecourse loan(s), and Posted county price (PCP).
See Also:
Actual loan repayment rate. Adjusted world price. Alternative (loan) repayment rate. chickpeas. dry peas. extra-long staple cotton. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Farm Service Agency. lentils. loan. loan collateral. loan-eligible commodities. Market. Market loan repayment (provision) (MLR). market price. marketing loan gain. mohair. nonrecourse loan. Nonrecourse loan(s). Posted county price (PCP). producer. upland cotton. wool.

Marketing loan repayment rate

See Adjusted world market price (AWP), Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR), and Posted county price (PCP).
See Also:
Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR). Posted county price (PCP).

Marketing loan(s)

A loan that may be repaid at a level below the rate at which the nonrecourse loan was made. Under previous farm bills, marketing loans were mandatory for upland cotton and rice, and discretionary for wheat, feed grains, and soybeans. Marketing loan provisions were maintained in the Federal Agriculture Improvements and Reform Act of 1996 for wheat, feedgrains, soybeans, cotton, and rice, and in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 for covered commodities and peanuts, wool, mohair, honey, small chickpeas, lentils, and dry peas. See Marketing loan program, and Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR).
See Also:
chickpeas. cotton. dry peas. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. feed grains. lentils. loan. Marketing. Marketing loan program. Marketing loan repayment (provision) (MLR). mohair. nonrecourse loan. upland cotton. wool.

Marketing loss (assistance) payments

From 1998 until passage of theFarm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Congress passed annual emergency farm legislation that allocated marketing loss assistance payments for program crops. The payments were paid using the same payment formula that was used for regular Agricultural Market Transition Act (AMTA) payments. Payments were first provided in the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, FY1999, and made to producers for marketing losses experienced in 1998. Producers eligible for 1998 production flexibility contract payments were issued the marketing loss assistance payments in proportion to the amount of production flexibility contracts received in FY1998. A separate person could not receive more than $19,888. Similar additional payments were made to holders of 1999 production flexibility contracts, under provisions of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000. Also, passage of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 provided ain additional payments to holders of 2000 production flexibility contracts, at the same rate as was paid for the 2000 AMTA payments. See Dairy Market Loss Assistance Program (DMLA).
See Also:
Agricultural Market Transition Act. Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000. Dairy Market Loss Assistance Program (DMLA). eligible. farm. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. marketing. separate person.

Marketing order(s)

See Federal marketing order(s) and agreement(s).
See Also:
Federal marketing order(s) and agreement(s).

Marketing quota(s)

(1) Generally, quotas authorized by the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to regulate the marketing of some commodities when supplies are or could become excessive. A quota normally represents the quantity the USDA estimates to be required for domestic use, exports, and adequate carryover stocks during the year. Marketing quotas are binding upon all producers if two-thirds or more of the producers holding allotments for the production of a crop vote for quotas in a referendum. Marketing quotas are usually put into effect through acreage allotments or specific limits on marketing. Producers who plant more of a commodity than their farm acreage allotments or market more than their quota are subject to marketing penalties on the "excess," and are ineligible for government price-support loans. Quota provisions have been suspended for wheat, feed grains, and upland cotton since the 1960s; rice quotas were abolished in 1981. Poundage quotas were used for domestically consumed peanuts, but not for exported peanuts, until the peanut price-support program was significantly altered with passage of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Marketing quotas are also used for major types of tobacco. The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 mandated marketing quotas for sugar and crystalline fructose when sugar imports for U.S. consumption are less than 1.25 million short tons (raw value). This authority was suspended in the Federal Agriculture Improvements and Reform Act of 1996. (2) A marketing quota sets the maximum amount of a commodity that a producer can sell without incurring a penalty. Used most consistently in policy for tobacco, this kind of mandatory quota usually requires some substantial majority approval vote by producers.
See Also:
acreage. Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. authorized. carryover. commodity. eligible. farm. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. feed grains. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. fructose. market. marketing. Poundage. producer. quota. referendum. stocks. tobacco. upland cotton.

Marketing season

See Crop year(s).
See Also:
Crop year(s).

Marketing spread

The difference between the price the producer received for a commodity and the price paid by the consumer for an equivalent amount of the same commodity. This farm-retail spread includes charges for assembling, storing, processing, transporting, and distributing the products.
See Also:
commodity. farm. processing. producer. spread.

Marketing type (bargaining association)

A bargaining associationwhose principal identifying characteristic is that it takes title to the production of its members and negotiates the prices and terms of sale. Such a bargaining association may operate one or more pools, divert products to alternate uses, and average out returns to the members of the pool.
See Also:
bargaining association. pool.

Marketing year(s)

The 12-month period beginning around harvest time, during which a crop is harvested and marketed. The marketing year for wheat, barley, oats, canola,rapeseed, and flaxseed is from June 1 to May 31; for corn, grain sorghum, sunflower seed, safflower, mustard seed, and soybeans, September 1 to August 31; for cotton, peanuts, and rice, August 1 to July 31; for flue-cured tobacco, July 1 to June 30; and for burley tobacco, October 1 to September 30. See Crop year(s).
See Also:
barley. canola. cotton. Crop year(s). flaxseed. flue-cured tobacco. grain sorghum. mustard seed. rapeseed. safflower.

Marketwide pool(ing)

All milk marketing orders operate marketwide pools for determining producer prices. Under marketwide pooling, the entire value of the milk used in all classes is divided by the total milk deliveries to determine the weighted average or blend price for the market. The blend price is the minimum price that must be paid to each producer under the order. The location at which the milk was received by the handler also affects the price. Thus, each producer shares proportionately in the returns produced by all milk uses in the market. Cooperatives may combine the proceeds of its members from different markets and pay a reblended price to members. This price may be different than the price received by individual producers.
See Also:
blend price. blended. handler. market. producer.

Marking

Each inspected and passed animal carcass, half-carcass, or quarter-carcass must be identified by a federal mark of inspection or a state mark of inspection. A product with a state mark of inspection is limited to commerce within the state where it was inspected and marked. State-inspected product shall not be transported across state lines. Another type of mark is one for exotic animals that have been inspected and approved for human food. See Official inspection legend.
See Also:
federal mark of inspection. Official inspection legend. state mark of inspection.

Maryland tobacco

A light, air-cured tobacco, similar to burley tobacco, used in cigarette blends.
See Also:
air-cured tobacco. burley tobacco.

Mast

Fruits and seed of shrubs, woody vines, trees, cacti, and other non-herbaceous vegetation, available for animal consumption.
See Also:
herbaceous. woody.

Master Settlement Agreement (MSA)

See Tobacco settlement.
See Also:
Tobacco settlement.

Mastitis

A bacterial infection of a cow's udders. See Somatic cell(s) (dairy), and Somatic cell count (SCC).
See Also:
Somatic cell count (SCC). Somatic cell(s) (dairy).

Material Transfer Agreements (MTA)

A special type of contract, routinely used by biotechnology industry and academic researchers, to facilitate the sharing of biological research material for mutual gain. MTAs define the rights and obligations of all parties, including third parties, involved in a transfer of biological material.
See Also:
biotechnology. contract.

Material harm

In cases of unfair trade practices, a finding by the International Trade Commission that the injury or threat of injury caused to domestic industries in output, sales, imports, capacity utilization, profits, cash flow, employment, and wages is not inconsequential, immaterial, or unimportant.
See Also:
cash flow. International Trade Commission. output. utilization.

Mature dairy animal

A dairy cow that has reached the level of maturity to be milked on a daily basis.
See Also:
cow.

Mature timber

A stand of trees that has attained anageor size that satisfies the primary economic goal for which it was managed.
See Also:
age. stand.

Maturity; mature(d)

(1) All nonrecourse loans for wheat, feed grain, rice, and oilseed crops shall be due, or mature upon demand by the Commodity Credit Corporation, and not later than the last day of the ninth calendar month following the month in which the security agreement for the loan was signed. Upland cotton and extra-long staple cotton loans previously matured in ten calendar months, beginning on the first day of the month in which the security agreement for the loan was signed, but the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 1203) reduced the loan term to nine months. Peanutloans mature on April 30 following the year in which the peanuts were harvested. Sugar loans are for nine months, but all loans will mature by the end of the fiscal yearin which theloanswere made. However, under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002(Sec. 1401(d)(2), a supplemental loan may be made in the case of a loan first made within the last three months of thefiscal year. Loan collateral pledged on a loan cannot be forfeited to the CCC in lieu of repayment until after the loan maturity date. (2) An estimation of the chronological age of the animal or carcass by assessing the physiological stages of maturity of bone and muscle characteristics.
See Also:
CCC. Commodity Credit Corporation. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. feed grain. fiscal year. loan. Loan collateral. muscle. oilseed. security agreement. supplemental loan. Upland cotton.

Maximum deficiency payments

Under former programs, the amount of difference between the target price and the effective loan rate for each program crop. See Counter-cyclical payment(s) (CCP).
See Also:
Counter-cyclical payment(s) (CCP). effective loan rate. program crop. target price.

Maximum economic yield

See Yield (economic maximum).
See Also:
Yield (economic maximum).

Maximum flex acres (acreage); maximum flexible acres (acreage) (MFA)

Under former programs, the sum of the normal flex acres and the optional flex acres.
See Also:
normal flex acres. optional flex acres.

Maximum payment acres

Under former programs, the maximum number of acres on a farm that are eligible to receive deficiency payments. Maximum payment acres are the farm's crop acreage base less the acreage reduction program acres, the paid land diversion acres, and the normal flex acres.
See Also:
acreage reduction program. crop acreage base. eligible. farm. normal flex acres. paid land diversion.

Maximum permitted acres

Under former programs, the maximum percentage of a crop acreage base that may be planted to a program crop and still be eligible for program benefits. Permitted acres are calculated by subtracting the acreage reduction program and normal flex acres from the crop acreage base.
See Also:
acreage reduction program. crop acreage base. eligible. normal flex acres. Permitted acres. program.

Maximum protection level

A value set for each crop in each county where Group Risk Plan (GRP) insurance is available. This value is the maximumprotection level available under GRP and Group Risk Income Plan insurance. See Protection level.
See Also:
protection level.

Maximum tolerated dose (MTD)

The maximum amount of a chemical that can be fed to an experimental animal without incurring extreme health consequences, such as death, while continuing to produce some measurable toxic effect.

McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program

A new Foreign Agricultural Service food aid program authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 3107) to use commodities, financial assistance, and technical assistance to carry out preschool and school food for education programs and maternal, infant, and child nutrition programs in foreign countries.
See Also:
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Foreign Agricultural Service. technical assistance.

McIntire-Stennis (funds)

Cooperative forestry research formula funds available to selected agricultural experiment stations. See Cooperative forestry research.
See Also:
Cooperative forestry research. formula funds.

McSweeney-McNary Forest Research Act of 1928 (P.L. 70-466)

Signed into law May 22, 1928. The Act directed the USDA to make a comprehensive survey of the present and prospective requirements for timber and other forest products in the U.S., of timber supplies, and of such other facts as may be necessary, in the determination of ways and means, to balance the timber budget of the U.S.
See Also:
forest products.

Meandering line

(1) Survey line at the high-water mark on navigable lakes and streams. (2) The line at which continuous vegetation ends and sandy or muddy shore begins.

Means test(ing)

Restricts program eligibility based on a person's gross revenues, net income, or some other indicator of wealth. It is primarily concerned with the payment limitation on income support payments.
See Also:
income support. payment limitation. payments. program.

Meat

(1) Tissue of the animal body that is used for food. (2) The components of meat animals, including muscle, fat, connective tissue, and bones. (3) Muscle tissue composed of protein, water, and fat. (4) The conversion of muscle through rigor mortis. (5) Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the part of the muscle of any cattle, sheep, swine, equine (horses or mules), or goats which is skeletal or which is found in the tongue, diaphragm, heart, or esophagus, with or without the accompanying and overlying fat, and the portions of bone (in bone-in product such as T-bone or porterhouse steak), skin, sinew, nerve, and blood vessels which normally accompany the muscle tissue and that are not separated from it in the process of dressingof the carcass. Under the FMIA, meat does not include the muscle found in the lips, snout, or ears. Also, meat may not include significant portions of bone, including hard bone and related components, such as bone marrow, or any amount of brain, trigeminal ganglia, spinal cord, or dorsal root ganglia.
See Also:
dorsal root ganglia. dressing. Federal Meat Inspection Act. muscle. protein. trigeminal ganglia.

Meat and poultry inspection

The Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 and the Poultry Products Inspection Act require all meat and poultry to be federally inspected. The Food Safety and Inspection Service is the USDA agency that inspects meat and poultry. More than 7,500 FSIS food inspectors and veterinarians carry out the inspection laws in some 6,200 privately owned meat and poultry plants around the country, ensuring that all domestically produced meat and poultry sold in interstate or foreign commerce is safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. One or more federal inspectors are "on the line" during all hours a plant is operating. Meat and poultry sold only within a state may be inspected under an FSIS-approved state inspection program equal to the federal program. If a state is unable to operate its own inspection program, the FSIS assumes responsibility for this inspection. Inspections are chiefly in meat and poultry packing and processing plants. To ensure the wholesomeness of imported meat and poultry products, the FSIS reviews and monitors foreign inspection systems to ensure that they are equal to the U.S. system.
See Also:
Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906. Food Safety and Inspection Service. inspection. meat. poultry. processing. program.

Meat broker

Under 12 U.S.C.§ 601, any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of buying or selling carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, or meat food products of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, on commission or otherwise negotiating purchases or sales of such articles other than for his own account or as an employee of another person, firm, or corporation.
See Also:
meat.

Meat byproducts

The edible parts of a livestock carcass, other than themeat. This includes fat, bone, lips, snouts, ears, and edible organs.
See Also:
livestock. meat.

Meat food product(s)

(1) Under provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, all edible products and byproducts of the slaughtering and meat-packing industry. (2) A food containing meator meat byproducts as ingredients. Exemptions include sandwiches, pepperoni rolls, bagel dogs, cheese balls, bread containing small pieces of meat as flavoring, products containing less than three percent raw or two percent cooked meat, and products containing less than 30 percent fat as the only livestock ingredient. (3) Under 12 U.S.C. § 601, any product capable of use as human food that is made wholly or in part from any meat or other portion of the carcass of any cattle, sheep, swine, or goats (and including food products of equines), excepting products that contain meat or other portions of such carcasses only in a relatively small proportion or historically have not been considered by consumers as products of the meat food industry, and that are exempted from definition as a meat food product by the USDA.
See Also:
livestock. meat. meat byproducts. Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921.

Meat import law

A U.S. law, enacted in 1964 and amended in 1979, that provided for the imposition of import quotas if imports of certain meat products exceeded the trigger level. This limit was calculated from a formula based on domestic import quota meat production and cow-beef production. The law applied to fresh, chilled, and frozen meat of cattle, sheep (except lamb), and goats, as well as certain prepared and preserved beef and veal products.
See Also:
beef. cow. import quota. meat. veal.

Mechanical harvester

(1) A machine that automatically strips the leaves from the tobacco stalk by rotating spiraled rubber wipers attached to a movable head. These machines are used primarily for harvesting flue-cured tobacco. (2) Specialized machinery used for harvesting tree fruit and nuts that shakes the fruit or nuts onto a catching frame. (3) Specialized machinery used for harvesting vegetables and root crops such as potatoes and beets. Root crops are harvested by machines that take the root out of the ground,clean it, and cut the top off the plant. (4) See Bale(d) hay, and Baling (hay). (5) See Combine(s). (6) See Picker; picker system; picker harvester (cotton), Pick(ed)(ing), and Stripper cotton; stripper system; stripper harvester.
See Also:
Baling (hay). clean. Combine(s). flue-cured tobacco. Pick(ed)(ing). Picker; picker system; picker harvester. plant. Stripper cotton; stripper system; stripper harvester. tobacco.

Mechanical tenderization

Theprocess of physically breaking up the muscle fiber structure. This can be achieved by needle or blade tenderizing. Needle tenderizing is the process of pressing several thick needles through the meat cut. As the needles pass through the muscle, they will break up the fiber structure. The use of a tenderizer machine is the most common method of tenderization currently used. See Chemical tenderization.
See Also:
Chemical tenderization. meat. muscle. process.

Mechanically separated (meat) (MS)

A meat food product that is a paste-like and batter-like product produced by forcing bones with attached meat under high pressure through a sieve or similar device to separate the bone from the meat tissue. Unlike AMR systems in which bone and bone products are not purposefully incorporated in the final meat product, MS systems are designed to purposefully incorporate significant amounts of bone and bone components in the resulting meat food product. The USDA will prohibit use of mechanically separated meat in human food.
See Also:
meat.

Mechanically separated poultry

A paste-like and batter-like poultry product, produced by forcing bones, with attached edible tissue, through a sieve or similar device under high pressure to separate bone from the edible tissue. Mechanically separated poultry has been used in poultry products since 1969.
See Also:
poultry.

Mediation

The voluntary resolution of problem loans, marketing contracts, and other disagreements or conflicts between borrowers and lenders, or parties to marketing contracts or other contracts with state and federal agencies, by means of a trained, neutral, third party serving as a mediator. Such mediator has no authoritative decision-making power. See Certified mediation program, and State mediation grants.
See Also:
Certified mediation program. marketing. State mediation grants.

Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly)

A fruit-destroyingpest. It has infested over 200 species of plants worldwide. Native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, this fly is now found in Africa, southern Europe, Central and South America, western Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, and periodically in California, Texas, and Florida.
See Also:
pest. species.

Medium CAFO

An animal feeding operation with a man-made ditch or pipe that carries manure or wastewater from the operation to surface water, or with animals that come into contact with surface water running through the area where the animals are confined, and with at least 200 mature dairy cows; or 300 veal calves; or 300 beef cattle or heifers; or 150 horses; or 750 swine (each 55 lbs or more); or 3,000 sheep or lambs; or 3,000 swine (each under 55 lbs); or 16,500 turkeys; or 10,000 ducks (other than with a liquid manure handling system); or 1,500 ducks (with a liquid manure handling system); or 9,000 chickens (with a liquid manure handling system); or 37,500 chickens, except laying hens (other than with a liquid manure handling system); or 25,000 laying hens (other than with a liquid manure handling system). See Concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), Designated CAFO, and Large CAFO.
See Also:
animal feeding operation. beef. Designated CAFO. Large CAFO. veal.

Medium grain (rice)

Rice that is a little shorter and plumper than long grain rice. After cooking, the grains are moister and more tender and have a greater tendency to cling together than long grain.
See Also:
grain. grains.

Mega-reg

A USDA regulation, first published in July 1996, requiring poultry processing plants with 500 or more employees to implement (a) adoption of standard operating procedures for sanitation, (b) generic E. coli testing, (c) development and implementation of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System, and (d) salmonella detection performance standards.
See Also:
E. coli. poultry processing. salmonella.

Melaleuca

An exotic weed tree, introduced into south Florida in the 1930s,that now threatens wetland areas of Lake Okeechobee, Everglades National Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve. The melaleuca tree reduces wildlife and native vegetation, pumps large quantities of water into the air via evapotranspiration, and is a navigational and fire hazard.
See Also:
evapotranspiration. exotic. weed. wetland.

Member schedule

The list of commitments (market access, domestic support, and export subsidies) undertaken by each participant in the Uruguay Roundnegotiations.
See Also:
access. market. Uruguay Round.

Merchant Marine Act of 1920

See Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920).
See Also:
Jones Act.

Merchant(s) (cotton)

Traditionally, private firms that buy cotton in the U.S. and sell to overseas mills and users. Merchant transactions include buying and selling actual cotton from producers and mills, and using the futures market to limit risk in their physical positions.
See Also:
cotton. futures market.

Mesquite

A leguminous shrub native to the western U.S. that fixessoil nitrogen, has commercial uses, and provides nectar for honeybees. However, mesquite on rangeland can out-compete more nutritious forages costing the U.S. grazing industry up to $500 million annually.
See Also:
grazing. leguminous. rangeland.

Metabolites

The broken-down chemical products that result when a pesticide passes through a biological system.
See Also:
pesticide.

Methane

An odorless, colorless, flammable, and explosive greenhouse gas, associated with global warming, that is produced through anaerobic decomposition of waste in landfills and animal wastes, animal digestion, production and distribution of natural gas and oil, coal production, and incomplete fossil fuel combustion.
See Also:
anaerobic. digestion. fossil fuel. global warming. greenhouse gas.

Methanol

An alcohol that can be used as an alternative fuel or as a gasoline additive. It is less volatile than gasoline; when blended with gasoline, it lowers the carbon monoxide emissions but increases hydrocarbon emissions. Used as pure fuel, its emissions are less ozone-forming than those from gasoline.
See Also:
additive. alternative fuel.

Methyl Bromide Transitions Program (MBT)

A Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Integrated Activities, integrated pest management program designed to support the discovery and implementation of practical pest management alternatives for commodities affected by the methyl bromide phase-out. The program focus is on short-term projects developing management technologies, integrated and systems approaches, and extension delivery programs for methyl bromide alternatives that support commodities at risk. These activities will involve basic research and applied research designed to deliver and demonstrate the practicality and economic feasibility of new technologies and will be conducted at research facilities, extension centers, and grower demonstration plots. See Crops at Risk (CAR), Organic Transitions (ORG), and Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program (RAMP).
See Also:
applied research. basic research. Crops at Risk (CAR). methyl bromide. Organic Transitions (ORG). pest management. program. Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program (RAMP).

Methyl bromide

An odorless, colorless gas widely used as a broad spectrum fumigant to control insects, fungi, bacteria, and nematodes on harvested commodities, in buildings, and in agricultural soil. It is one of the five most-used pesticides in the U.S. Methyl bromide is believed to deplete the ozone layer, and production in the U.S. is to be banned by 2005. Under terms of the Montreal Protocol, adopted by the U.S. as part of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, developed countries agreed to reduce consumption by 25 percent in 1999, 50 percent in 2001, 70 percent in 2003, and 100 percent in 2005 from 1991 consumption levels. Developing countries agreed to a 20 percent reduction by 2005 and a 100 percent reduction by 2015 from the average 1995-98 consumption levels. For many current uses, no alternative to methyl bromide exists. TheEnvironmental Protection Agencyadopted a final rule January 1, 2003, to provide methyl bromide users in the U.S. with an exemption to the phaseout of methyl bromide for quarantine applications and pre-shipment applications.
See Also:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999. Environmental Protection Agency. fumigant. pre-shipment applications. quarantine applications. soil.

Metric ton(s)

2,204.6 pounds; 1,000 kilograms.

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA)

A county or group of contiguous counties that contain at least one city of 50,000 inhabitants or more, or twin cities with a combined population of at least 50,000. In addition, contiguous counties are included in an MSA if they are socially and economically integrated with a central city.

Mickey Leland Food for Peace Act (P.L. 101-624)

Signed into law November 28, 1990. The short title given to Subtitle A of Title XV of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, which amended the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. The title was given in memory of Representative Mickey Leland who died in 1989 on a humanitarian mission to Ethiopia.
See Also:
Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.

Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship

A fellowship program authorized by the Congressional Hunger Fellows Act of 2002 toaddress international hunger and other humanitarian needs. See Bill Emerson Hunger Fellowship.
See Also:
Bill Emerson Hunger Fellowship.

Mickey Leland Memorial Domestic Hunger Relief Act (P.L. 101-624)

Signed into law November 28, 1990. The short title given to Title XVII, Food Stamp and Related Provisions, of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. The title was given in memory of Representative Mickey Leland who died in 1989 on a humanitarian mission to Ethiopia.
See Also:
Food Stamp. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.

Microbe(s); microbial

Microorganisms including algae, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
See Also:
Microorganisms.

Microbial pesticides

Microorganisms that kill, inhibit, or out-compete pests including insects and other microorganisms. The most widely used microbial pesticide is Bt.See Biopesticide(s).
See Also:
Biopesticide(s). Bt. microorganisms.

Microclimate

Climate within a specific area in a larger area.

Microenterprise

Under the rural electronic commerce extension program, a commercial enterprise that has five or fewer employees, one or more of whom own the enterprise.
See Also:
rural electronic commerce extension program.

Micron

A unit of measurement that equals 1/25,000 of an inch, used in assessing the diameter of a fiber.
See Also:
fiber.

Micronaire

The fineness and maturity of cotton fibers. Fineness and maturity are highly correlated within the same cotton variety. Fiber fineness affects yarn appearance, yarn uniformity, and yarn strength.
See Also:
cotton. Fiber. strength. uniformity. variety. yarn.

Micronutrient fortification pilot program

A pilot program, established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Sec. 222), which was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 3013) through 2007. See Micronutrient fortification program(s).
See Also:
authorized. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Micronutrient fortification program(s). program.

Micronutrient fortification program(s)

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) programs, authorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 3013) through FY2007, to assist developing countries in correcting micronutrient dietary deficiencies among segments of the populations of the countries, and encourage the development of technologies for the fortification of whole grains and other commoditiesthat are readily transferable to developing countries. The Act called upon the FAS to assure adequate micronutrient levels in the fortified commodities and to standardize procedures used to test and monitor for compliance. Additionally, the Act called upon the FAS to improve shelf-life, bioavailibility, and safety of food aid commodities.
See Also:
authorized. FA. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. FAS. fortification. grains. micronutrient.

Micronutrient(s)

An element required in proportionately smaller amounts by plants but is still important for healthy plant growth. Micronutrients include Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Boron (B), and Molybdenum (Mo). See Macronutrient(s).
See Also:
Macronutrient(s). plant.

Microorganisms

Yeasts, molds, bacteria, and viruses, including but not limited to, species having public health significance. Occasionally in regulations the Food and Drug Administrationuses "microbial" instead of using a phrase containing the word "microorganism".
See Also:
Food and Drug Administration. microbial. species.

Middle meats

The rib and loin of a beef carcass. These primal cuts generally yield the highest-priced beef cuts.
See Also:
beef. primal cuts.

Middle-income country(ies)

(1) Countries in which the standard of living is higher than in low-income countries, people have access to more goods and services, yet many people still cannot meet their basic needs. There are currently nearly 70 middle-income countries with a combined population of nearly 3 billion. (2) Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Sec. 3014), a country that has developed economically to the point that it does not receive bilateral development assistance from the U.S. See High-income country(ies),and Low-income country(ies).
See Also:
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act. High-income country(ies). Low-income country(ies).

Migrant agricultural worker(s)

See Migrant farmworker(s).
See Also:
Migrant farmworker(s).

Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) (P.L. 97-470) (29 U.S.C. §§ 1801, et seq.)

Signed into law January 14, 1983, and amended in 1986 and 1995. An Act designed to provide migrant agricultural workers and seasonal agricultural workers with protections concerning pay, working conditions, and work-related conditions; to require farm labor contractors to register with the U.S. Department of Labor; and to assure necessary protections for farmworkers, agricultural associations, and agricultural employers.
See Also:
farm.

Migrant farmworker(s)

A person who travels across state or county boundaries to do agricultural work of a seasonal or other temporary nature, and who is required to be absent overnight from his or her permanent place of residence. Exceptions are immediate family members of an agricultural employer or a farm labor contractor and temporary foreign workers.
See Also:
agricultural employer. farm labor.

Migratory Bird Rule

The 1986 federal rule (51 Fed. Reg. 41217) asserting the basis for federal jurisdiction over intrastate, isolated waters of the U.S. and their connection to interstate commerce. The rule stated that federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act extended to those intrastate waters that (a) are or could be used as habitat by birds protected by Migratory Bird Treaties; or (b) are or could be used as habitat by other migratory birds which cross state lines; or (c) are or could be used as habitat for endangered species; or (d) are used to irrigate crops sold in interstate commerce. See Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
See Also:
Clean Water Act. endangered species. habitat. irrigate. isolated waters. Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Milk Income Loss Contract program (MILC)

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002(Sec. 1502), whenever the monthly fluid milk price in Boston falls below $16.94 per hundredweight, all eligible producers nationwide will receive a payment equal to 45 percent of the difference between $16.94 and the lower Boston price. See Counter-cyclical payment(s) (CCP).
See Also:
Boston price. Counter-cyclical payment(s) (CCP). Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. fluid milk. hundredweight.

Milk Production Termination Program

A program, often called the Dairy Termination Program or the Whole-Herd Buyout Program, authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985. The program was designed to reduce milk production. Producers whose bids were accepted by the USDA agreed to slaughter or export all female dairy cattle, have no interest in milk production or dairy cattle for five years, and not use their facilities for those purposes during that time. The program was in effect from April 1, 1986, through September 30, 1987. During that period, 1.6 million dairy cows were removed from production. The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 included a specific provision prohibiting the adoption of such a program.
See Also:
authorized. Dairy Termination Program. export. Food Security Act of 1985. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. program. Whole-Herd Buyout Program.

Milk assessments

(1) Deductions from dairy producers' milk checks formerly used to finance a special federal government supply-reduction program. See Milk Production Termination Program. (2) See Dairy Promotion and Research Program.
See Also:
Dairy Promotion and Research Program. Milk Production Termination Program. program.

Milk distributing plant

A plant processing and distributing milk and milk products other than products made from manufacturing milk.
See Also:
processing.

Milk diversion program

A program adopted in 1983 by which milk producers could receive direct payments by agreeing to reduce production in their herds between January 1, 1984, and March 31, 1985.
See Also:
program.

Milk equivalent

The amount of fluid milk represented by a quantity of dairy products. It is most often used to aggregate stocks, trade, or removals of various dairy products on a common basis. The milk equivalent of one pound of butter is 21.1 pounds of milk; one pound of cheese equals ten pounds of milk; and one pound of ice cream is the equivalent of 15 pounds of milk.
See Also:
dairy products. fluid milk. stocks.

Milk marketed for commercial use

All cows' milk that is disposed of in raw or processed form by voluntary or involuntary sale, barter or exchange, or by gift.
See Also:
processed.

Milk marketing order(s)

Federal or state programs that cover most of the fluid milk marketed in the U.S. Each milk marketing order includes (a) a classified price plan, (b) a system of minimum prices, (c) terms of the order, and (d) provisions for administering the order. Milk marketing orders regulate handlers who sell milk and manufactured dairy products within an order region by requiring handlers to pay not less than the established minimum price for Grade A milk purchased from producers, depending on how the milk is used. The federal government may also support the prices of certain manufactured dairy products, such as butter and cheese, through purchase and storage programs. Federal milk marketing orders are permanently authorized and do not require periodic reauthorization. Milk marketing orders are not mandatory; producers must request an order and approve it through a referendum. The Federal Agriculture Improvements and Reform Act of 1996 (Sec. 143) required the reduction of the number of federal milk marketing orders to no more than 14 and no less than 10. The USDA consolidated the existing 31 milk marketing order areas into 11 milk marketing order areas. It also added some previously unregulated areas (counties) into the new milk marketing order areas. In further reforms, the USDA established four classes of milk use to be pooled under the new orders. Each class will have a skim milk price and a butterfat price calculated from the prices of dairy products. See California milk marketing order, and Minimum pricing (dairy).
See Also:
authorization. authorized. butterfat. California milk marketing order. class. classified price plan. dairy products. fluid milk. Grade A milk. marketing. Minimum pricing (dairy). skim milk. storage. system of minimum prices.

Milk price-support program

See Dairy price-support program (DPSP).
See Also:
Dairy price-support program (DPSP).

Milk protein concentrate (MPC)

Skim milk that has been concentrated by ultra-filtration (removing some of the lactose, ash, and other solids, but retaining most of the milk proteins) and dried to a powder. MPC and ultra-filtered milk are virtually identical in composition.
See Also:
powder. Skim milk. solids. ultra-filtered milk. ultra-filtration.

Milk protein(s)

The principal proteins are casein (about 80 percent) and the whey proteins,used in assessing the diameter of a fiber and lactoglobulin.
See Also:
casein. fiber. whey.

Milk shed

The geographic region in which milk is produced for a specified milk-marketing area.
See Also:
marketing.

Milk soil

See Milkstone.
See Also:
Milkstone.

Milk solid(s)

See Total milk solids (TMS).
See Also:
Total milk solids (TMS).

Milk solids-not-fat

See Solids-not-fat (SNF).
See Also:
Solids-not-fat (SNF).

Milkfat

See Butterfat.
See Also:
Butterfat.

Milking barn

See Barn (milking).
See Also:
Barn (milking).

Milking parlor

See Barn (milking).
See Also:
Barn (milking).

Milkstone

The residue that remains on equipment, utensils, or containers used for handling milk.
See Also:
residue.

Mill(ed)(ing)

(1) The process, machine, or facility used to grind or prepare grain for food use. (2) A saw mill that produces lumber. See Board mill. (3) See Textile mill(s). (4) See Millfeed, and Pellet mill. (5) See Dry mill(ed)(ing), Roller mill, and Wet mill(ed)(ing).
See Also:
Board mill. Dry mill(ed)(ing). grain. Millfeed. Pellet mill. process. Roller mill. Textile mill(s). Wet mill(ed)(ing).

Milled rice

(1) After milling is complete and the hulls, branlayers, and germ are removed. (2) Whole or broken kernels of rice from which the hulls and at least the outer bran layers have been removed, and that contain no more than 10 percent of seeds, paddy kernels, or foreign material, either singly or combined.
See Also:
bran. broken. foreign material. germ. milling. paddy.

Miller(s)

One who grinds and prepares grain for food or feed uses.
See Also:
feed. grain.

Millet

A small grain which originated with the domestication of wild African grasses and subsequently were taken to China and India. Millet tolerates arid conditions and possesses a small, highly nutritious grain that stores well. It is used as a food, livestock feed, and in traditional beer brewing.
See Also:
arid. feed. grain. livestock. small.

Millfeed

Any of the byproducts of the milling industry used in feeding livestock.
See Also:
livestock. milling.

Milling quality

The measure of the ability of wheat to produce a high yield of flour with required characteristic by a predetermined milling method.
See Also:
milling.

Milling yield (rice)

Rice production consisting of head rice, second heads, screenings, and brewers rice as defined by the official U.S. grading standards.
See Also:
brewers rice. grading. head rice. screenings. second heads.

Milo

(1) See Grain sorghum. (2) My boss, Dr. Milo J. Shult, Vice President for Agriculture, University of Arkansas System.
See Also:
Grain sorghum.

Mini-column

A somewhat more sophisticated version of the bright greenish yellow fluorescence (BGYF) procedure, most commonly used for commodities if an absolute value is not required. False negative or false positive results may occur.

Mini-contracts

In futures trading, contracts that have smaller quantity requirements than standard contracts. As an example, corn and soybean contracts on the Mid-American Ex