Partial stover harvest has shown to increase the next year’s corn yield by an average of 5.2%.
Partial stover harvest also enables farmers to increase the number of times they can plant corn in consecutive years.
Stover harvest allows for no- to low-till farming, which is healthier for the soil and the environment, as well as reducing wear and tear on equipment.
Partial stover harvest reduces tillage allowing for savings on fuel and equipment costs.
Management of residue lets a grower actively meet his soil management goals, while increasing his income from direct residue payments and contributing to lower farming costs.
Quick Biomass Stats*
It’s estimated the Earth grows about 130 billion tons of biomass annually, which constitutes more than six times the world’s energy use.
Globally, biomass is the fourth largest supplier of energy after coal, oil and natural gas, representing 14% of the world’s total energy supply.
Corn-derived ethanol accounts for about 10% of U.S. gasoline consumption.
Current estimates of corn stover supply stand at about 75 million tons per year.
The exciting opportunity for biomass feedstock in the long run is not as ethanol for fuel, but as renewable bio-chemicals.
* Sources: Oak Ridge National Laboratory,U.S. Cooperative Extension Service and Pacific Ag