Corn Stover Removal Impacts On Yield, Nutrient Efficiency, and Soil Organic Carbon.

Corn stover removal is increasing in the corn-growing region of the United States.  Stover is mostly being harvested as a highly-palatable source of livestock feed when mixed with wet distillers grains, a byproduct of the ethanol industry.  However, corn stover may also be harvested as a feedstock for the ethanol industry in the future.  A five-year study was initiated in 2008 to investigate the impacts of corn stover removal on yields, nutrient efficiency, and soil organic carbon in South Dakota.  Crop rotations included continuous corn, corn-soybean-corn, and corn-corn-soybean.  The study was replicated on a summit and backslope landscape position at one site.  At another site, the study was replicated with and without supplemental irrigation.  Soil carbon levels are currently being analyzed.