Aug 27 2008
Archer Daniels Midland Co., Deere & Co. and Monsanto Co. said Tuesday they will conduct collaborative research on the best ways to turn the throwaway parts of corn plants into biofuel and other products.
The three agricultural industry companies will look for ways to harvest, store and transport the stalks, leaves and cobs of corn - materials that are referred to as corn stover. They can be used as feed, to generate electricity and as feedstock to make biofuel.
Stover is normally left on the field to help control erosion. The research will address how much stover can be taken without harming field conditions for the next year's crop and other issues related to the storage and transportation of stover.
"Using non-food feedstocks for feed and energy is one way that agriculture can apply innovation to create renewable, sustainable solutions," Todd Werpy, vice president of research at Archer Daniels Midland, said in a statement. "This collaborative effort brings together three agricultural leaders to identify and address the complexities that come with commercializing a new feedstock."
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