Crop residues left in the field after grain harvest have a large potential as a bioenergy feedstock. As a byproduct of grain production these residues have been called waste, yet research has shown their nutrient, erosion, and soil carbon characteristics have value that must not be overlooked. Crop residues of interest for bioenergy include; corn stover, corn cobs, wheat straw, soybean straw, and rice hulls.
Harvesting Crop Residues, G1846
Issues of crop residue harvest, including nutrient removal and effects on erosion, soil quality, water loss, and yield are discussed in this NebGuide.
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Selling Stover May Cost You More Than you Get -Sept 2009
An area farmer told me that he recently received an offer to buy his corn residue for as much as $20 a ton or $60 an acre for a three-ton harvest. For a quarter section, he could receive $9600. At first glance, it looks like he could get paid for what appears to be waste material – crop residue, but let’s think about the value of that residue.
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Nutrient Value of Corn Stover
Corn stover may be removed, or left on the soil surface. Removal of stover is removal of the nutrients, and carbon.
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Crop and Soil Productivity Response to Corn Residue Removal: A Literature Review
W.W. Wilhelm et. al. 2005 Agronomy Journal
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