Could Corn Stover be Profitable?
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA team of Purdue University researchers says, with government support, production of biofuels from corn stover could be economically viable for farmers. Stover is the stalk and leaf material that remains in the field after corn is harvested. Co-author and Purdue Agriculture Energy Policy Specialist Wally Tyner says, if it makes sense economically, production of second-generation biofuels would have a "major impact" on agricultural commodity markets.
The researchers say farmers considering converting corn stover to biofuels should factor both stover and corn into planting decisions. If profits from the combination are higher than soybean production, the group says it could shift more production toward corn.
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