A week ago it was announced that a chemical extraction facility in Sarnia is setting up contracts to buy significant amounts of bi-products from Ontario Farmers, mainly corn stover.
Results of a six-year study have now come out from the University of Wisconsin showing varied results in yields with differing corn stover harvest rates.
The University notes soil organic matter, phosphorus and potassium were slightly reduced after three years of harvest at 50 and 100 per cent sites.
Though yield changes were insignificant at the different harvest rates, results show yields would likely decrease over time if stover harvests were continuous.
The University concludes limiting stover harvests to a 50 per cent rate and rotating crops will result in little to no negative effects on the soil.
A co-op farm group planning on harvesting for the new Sarnia facility is aiming to harvest corn stover at a rate of 30 per cent.
