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Papers
- Corn Stover (Wikipedia.org)
"Corn stover consists of the leaves and stalks of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays L.) plants left in a field after harvest and consists of the residuestalk; the leaf, husk, and cob remaining in the field following the harvest of cereal grain.” Stover makes up about half of the yield of a crop and is similar to straw. [1] Corn stover is very a common agricultural product in areas of large amounts of corn production. As well, the stover can also contain other weeds and grasses[1] the non-grain part of harvested corn and “has low water content and is very bulky. [2]" 06-09
- Corn Stover Harvesting Research (Science Daily)
"After evaluating harvest convenience and speed, acceptable stover water content and other factors, the researchers concluded that a "normal cut" harvest would result in the most economical and efficient stover harvest for biofuel production. When the "normal cut" stover was harvested, at least 16 inches of stubble remained on the field."
"Karlen's research is part of a larger national effort to evaluate the environmental and economic costs and benefits that might accrue from large-scale corn stover removal for cellulosic ethanol production." 06-09
- Corn Stover Yield (NREL.gov)
"Corn Stover, the material remaining on the surface after the grain is collected, is the largest underutilized crop in the U.S. About 250 million dry tons, dt, is grown annually, triple the amount 50 years ago. Removing the excess after soil erosion needs are met can reduce the need to till, increase farmer income and provide 100 million dt or more for the production of fuels, chemicals and materials."
"One pass harvest of both grain and stover, wet storage and rail transport to the processor appear to be advantageous, with a delivered cost of $30/dt while returning more than $30/acre net income to the farmer." 06-09
- The Price of Standing Corn (PSU.edu)
"If average yields in Lancaster County are 160 bu per acre, then the corn grower might expect to generate approximately $880 in gross revenue per acre. Estimated costs for harvest, transport and storage, and drying are $40/acre, $0.25 per bushel, and $0.60 per bushel, respectively. Therefore, estimated net value of the standing corn per acre is $704. If average yields for chopped corn are 25 tons per acre, then the corn grower would need to sell the standing corn for $28.16 per ton of chopped corn to receive the same net revenue per acre. A seller must also consider the risks of market fluctuation and potential field losses from the end of silage harvest to the corn delivery date." 06-09
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