What are the effects of stover removal on ground cover and HEL requirements?
• Heartland Fibers Inc. estimates that 40 percent of the corn stover will be left in the field after stover harvest. • Less ground cover would increase the risks of soil erosion from heavy rains. • Removal of 60 percent of the stover material would NOT leave sufficient ground cover to satisfy conservation compliance program regulations the following spring, especially if much of the remaining residue was composed of standing stalks.
