Corn residue utilization effects on yield, crop water use and the soil resource

Corn residue or stover has been used for decades for grazing, livestock bedding, or harvested as supplemental feed for beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. There are multiple advantages to utilizing corn residue, including managing residue quantity in high production fields, supplemental revenue, and a simple, cost-effective method of integrating crop-livestock systems. In addition to its use for the livestock industry, corn residue is the primary feedstock for a fledgling cellulosic bioenergy industry. This seminar will look at current USDA-ARS research on corn residue utilization in Nebraska and in the Corn Belt Region.