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ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #249722
Title: Economic and environmental impacts of corn stover removal for biofuel production: A farm level case study

Author
item ANAND, MANIK - Auburn University
item BERGTOLD, JASON - Kansas State University
item Archer, David
item DUFFY, PATRICIA - Auburn University

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2010
Publication Date: 10/31/2010
Citation: Anand, M., Bergtold, J.S., Archer, D.W., Duffy, P. 2010. Economic and environmental impacts of corn stover removal for biofuel production: A farm level case study. Symposium Proceedings. Southeast Decision Sciences Institute Fortieth Annual Meeting, Wilmington, North Carolina, February 17-19, 2010. p. 90-109.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Corn stover is emerging as one of the major sustainable sources for cellulosic ethanol production in the U.S and promises to reduce our dependence on conventional fuels. Removal of corn stover for biomass production can provide an additional revenue generating source for farmers. However, removing corn stover can result in environmental and agronomic repercussions. A non-linear programming model is used to study the viability of corn stover removal at a sample farm at Swan Lake Research Farm near Morris, MN. Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) is used for the environmental and agronomic impacts. Results suggest that partial stover removal is possible without having adverse environmental and agronomic impacts when using conservation tillage practices.