# Presentation: 203829

## Post-Harvest Physical Properties of Corn Stover 

- by
- M.D. Montross, S.G. McNeill,
- S.A. Shearer, T.S. Stombaugh
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department
- University of Kentucky

## Objectives

- Develop baseline data on the quantity and physical characteristic's of corn stover
- Quantify amount of stover harvested using existing equipment
- Track changes in dry matter loss, temperature, and moisture content during storage of round bales

## Farm Cooperator

- Worth & Dee Ellis Farms in Shelby County, Kentucky (east of Louisville)
- Soils are a well drained silt loam
- Practiced no-till farming for 21 years
- Crop rotation of corn followed by soft red wheat and double crop soybeans

## Pre-Harvest Data Collection

- Sample field on 1 acre grid
- At each grid location
- Weight of 5 stalks in 2 rows
- Kept the lightest, middle, and heaviest stalks
- Plant population in 2 rows 3 m long
- Took 20 individual stalks from one spot

## Grid Layout

## Laboratory Analysis

- Shelled corn from each grid location (or individual plant)
- Measured weight of corn and biomass
- Determined moisture content in 100°C oven for 3 days

## Biomass Versus Dry Basis Grain Mass at Each Grid Location

## Relationships Between Plant Components and Grain Mass

## Distribution of Mass in Plant Components

## Collection Methods

- 12 row combine, 16 row planter
- Baler is a 5 x 6 variable chamber
- Four collection methods
- Rake and bale behind combine
- Rotary mower, rake, and bale
- Discbine and bale
- Bale behind combine

## Rotary Mower/Bale/Rake

## Collection Locations

- ~36 acre field
- Pick 5 locations that are suitable (150 ft x 150 ft)
- 4 locations for bale collection and storage
- 1 location mowed and baled over time

## Yield Map

## Grid Data of Biomass Distribution

## Bale Storage

- Take 12 bales from each of 4 locations for 3 primary collection methods
- 4 inside on concrete floor
- 4 outside on dirt
- 4 are characterized (dirt; type, moisture content, and amount of material; particle size analysis)
- Take 1 bale for characterization of baling behind combine

## Data Collected During Storage

- For each bale
- Area of field required
- Labor to bale
- Weight
- Moisture content
- Field notes
- Pattern of traffic
- Type and amount of material remaining

## Data Collected During Storage

- Initial moisture content using coring device, and monthly thereafter
- Measure center bale temperature daily until stable during storage, weekly thereafter
- Monthly weights

## Issues

- Plant population recorded, but expected to heavily influence biomass yield
- Direction of combine relative to mower or discbine
- Particle/weight/density distribution
- Would it be desirable to cut pieces up finer (rotary mower vs discbine)
- Amount of dirt
- Proper moisture content for baling and storage

## Future Work

- Record path of equipment (combine, grain carts) using GPS during harvest
- Determine plant population at harvest
- Precision collection of biomass
- Use yield map to select areas for stover collection
- Avoid removal of stover from environmentally sensitive areas
- Collect highest value components

## Distribution of Mass in Plant Components

## Biomass of Individual Stalks Versus Dry Basis Corn Mass

## Background

- Numerous researchers have investigated collection of stover (Loewer et al., 1984 and Ritchey et al., 1982)
- 30% of stover round baled
- Dry matter losses of 10% of stover baled at 13.9% and 22.6% for stover at 33.4%

## Background

- Cundiff and Marsh (1996) found that harvest and storage costs for large round bales was 23% less than square bales