Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

A grain combine was modified to produce single-pass, whole-plant corn harvesting with two crop streams, grain and stover. Capture of potential stover DM varied from 48 to 89% for leaves, 49 to 92% for stalks, and greater than 90% for husks and cobs, depending upon corn head height. Stover aggregate moisture was 50.2, 43.1 and 36.4% (w.b.) when the corn head height was 10, 44 and 63% of ear height, respectively. Greater MOG feedrate limited ground speed due to power availability, so area capacity was 2.3, 2.8 and 3.4 ha/h when corn head height was 10, 44 and 63% of ear height, respectively. Whole-plant harvesting reduced area capacity by nearly 61% compared to harvesting with a conventional snapping-roll head. Single-pass stover had an average particle size of 69 mm and bulk density of 51 and 110 kg DM/m3 in the wagon and bag silo, respectively. Based on polymeric sugar content, estimated ethanol yield was 3,945, 3,230, and 2,600 L/ha when the corn head height was 10, 44 and 63% of ear height, respectively. Fermentation of single-pass stover in a bag silo was adequate with average losses of 6% of total DM.