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Corn Stover
Iowa State has a publication dealing with corn estimating corn stover yields:
If you are interested in some more "scientific" results, journal articles are also available on the subject (Google keywords: estimating corn stover yield)
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/NR/rdonlyres/5D3BD06C-F585-413C-826B-8452EF7A22DB/4744/stovervalue.pdf
Step 1. Estimate the amount of above ground corn stover residue per acre.
On average, above ground corn plant dry matter has 50% of the dry matter weight in the grain and 50% in the
stover (stalk, leaf, cob, shank, and husk). Multiply the bushels per acre yield by 56 pounds to get an estimate of the
corn residue dry matter per acre. Example: 140 bushels per acre times 56 pounds = 7,840 pounds per acre of
stover, or 3.9 tons per acre. As we increase yields above 140 bushels per acre this calculation tends over estimate
the quantity of stover, and as yields drop below 100 bushels per acre this calculation tends to under estimate the
quantity of stover. For “good” yields (>140 bushels per acre), 8,000 pounds of stover per acre is a commonly used
number. This is just an approximation in lieu of actually weighing the harvested corn stover.
Step 2. Estimate the actual amount of stover removed from the field.
Multiple the number in Step 1 by the appropriate number in Table 1.
Table 1. The amount of stover removed depends on how it was harvested.
Harvest method Approximate amount harvested, %
Shredding and raking 80
Raking only 65
Combine windrow only 50
Cattle grazing 25
C.O.R.N. Newsletter 2007-27, August 20, 2007 - August 28, 2007
Nutrient Value of Corn Stover
Feeding Corn Stover
Moldy Cornstalks
Corn Stover Removal Decreases Soil Carbon, Impacts Crop
Corn Harvest Index Nutrient Removal
