An Analysis of the Relationship between Demand for Corn Stover as an Ethanol Feedstock and Soil Erosion

An analysis of corn stover utilization as an energy feedstock was conducted for southern Minnesota to determine if any economic incentive existed to encourage corn stover harvest beyond USDA-NRCS tolerable soil loss levels. Results indicate that only if the number of conversion facilities in the region exceeded 10 that there would exist an incentive to harvest stover in a manner that would violate tolerable soil loss levels under current tillage practices. If all farms switched to no-till, little to no economic incentive would exist unless the number of conversion facilities exceeded 19. Copyright 2008 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association