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Abstract. As biorefineries begin to come online in the Midwest for corn stover and other biomass, supply chains will subsequently develop and evolve over time. Based around the evolution of a supply chain are key metrics that are driving factors to economic and environmental sustainability. These metrics were identified and tracked in a central Iowa corn stover supply chain over the course of several years. By tracking these metrics productivity of the supply chain increased 30% while cost associated with it dropped by 40%. By understanding and mastering these metrics new technologies were developed that addressed specific shortcomings of past technologies. This spooled innovation across the industry that helped improve the feedstock coming into the plant for improve conversion operations.