Free workshop sponsored by Farm Bureau
Corn stover – the cobs, leaves and stalks of corn plants left in the field after harvest – are being used in the production of ethanol, including the Iowa cellulosic ethanol facilities in Nevada and Emmetsburg. As these ethanol production plants start their operations, they present an opportunity for producers to participate in this newly developing corn stover supply chain.
Stover removal, in either round or square bales, can impact agronomic decisions such as nutrient balance and soil quality, and can influence harvest logistics in terms of removal amounts and reduced tillage.
To help producers understand the opportunities available and where they fit in the supply chain, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a workshop in Jefferson on March 18 to address the constraints and benefits of corn stover harvesting.
The workshop will be held at the Greene County Extension office from 1:30 to 4 pm. ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists Mark Johnson and Paul Kassel, as well as agricultural engineering specialist Kapil Arora, will host the workshops.
Crop producers, land owners, crop consultants, agronomists, service providers and others with an interest in stover harvest and its removal from farm fields are encouraged to attend.
The events are free but pre-registration is required. Participants must register at least one day in advance. Early registration is recommended as workshop size is limited to 50 participants per site on a first-come basis. The workshops are sponsored by Iowa Farm Bureau in Greene County.
