Corn Stalk Balers

A market summary compiled by the Missouri Department of Agriculture shows that corn stover is selling in the state for $60 to $100 per ton, or $35 to $45 per large round bale. The state agency didn’t even track corn stover sales prices until this year, and nor does the National Agricultural Statistics Service, whose director says corn stover isn’t typically considered a farm commodity.

“If you look at corn stover historically, it has really come into play this year,” said Gary Wheeler, Vice President of Operations and grower services at the Missouri Corn Growers Association. “It has really helped out the corn growers and the cattle industry.”

Jefferson City farmer Jeff Fischer said he had harvested and baled the corn stalks on his 1,500 acres the past two years and plans to continue doing so to meet the demand. With his corn crop yielding just half of its anticipated production for the year, he considers stover a “value-added” crop.

Farmers’ interest in harvesting corn stalks is prompting agricultural equipment manufacturers to build round balers specifically designed to handle corn stalks.