The word silage comes from the Greek word “siros” – a pit or hole in the ground used to store corn. Archaeological evidence indicates the Greeks and Egyptians were utilizing silage to feed livestock possibly as far back as 2000 BC.

Gary Bates, forage specialist at University of Tennessee, said, “If there’s a planting mistake to make, I’ve made it.” At the American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Convention, Bates shared the top mistakes made in establishing alfalfa using a no-till system and how to overcome them.