Corn Cob Ethanol Looks OK for Soil

Dakota Farmer
By: Lon Tonneson
Published: May 28, 2009

Study funded by POET indicates that fertilizer rates won't have to rise.
POET says that research it funded at Iowa State University shows it is economically and environmental okay to make ethanol out of corn cobs.

POET is making ethanol from corn cobs at a pilot plant in Scotland, S.D., and is planning to go commercial with the process at its Emmetsburg, Iowa, plant in 2011. The company also operates several other plants in South Dakota and corn cob ethanol could be added to those facilities.

Removing corn cobs from fields appears to have no substantial impact on soil nutrient content, according to the ISU study.

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