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August 26, 2008
Leading global agribusinesses
researching new approaches to harvest, store and transport corn
residue for feed and fuel production
Archer Daniels Midland Company
(NYSE: ADM), Deere & Company
(NYSE: DE) and Monsanto
Company (NYSE: MON) have agreed to collaborate on research
to explore technologies and processes to turn crop residues into
feed and bioenergy products.
The companies will work together to identify environmentally and
economically sustainable methods for the harvest, storage and
transport of corn stover — the stalks, leaves and cobs of corn
plants. Corn stover can be used in feed for animals, as biomass
to generate steam and electricity or as a cellulosic feedstock
for biofuel production.
By creating feed and energy products from crop byproducts,
farmers can produce more products without farming more acres,
and increase the value derived from each acre.
Stover is usually left on the field, where, in proper amounts,
it helps reduce soil erosion and build up soil organic matter. A
170-bushel-per-acre corn crop, which was the average last year
in Iowa, also produces about four dry tons of stover. The United
States Department of Agriculture forecasts that in 2008, farmers
will harvest 12.3 billion bushels of corn, resulting in
approximately 290 million tons of stover.
In their work, the companies will address a number of
complexities and challenges. For example, stover collection
rates need to be adjusted on a field-by-field basis to ensure
that sufficient stover is left on the soil to reduce erosion and
maintain or improve soil quality for the next season’s crop.
Also, the amount of moisture in the stover at harvest can
present challenges in transportation and storage. Monsanto, ADM
and John Deere are committed to identifying processes and
technologies that will create an economically, agronomically and
environmentally sound value chain for corn stover.
“As the world’s population grows, so will demand for food and
energy. Using non-food feedstocks for feed and energy is one way
that agriculture can apply innovation to create renewable,
sustainable solutions,” said Dr. Todd Werpy, Vice President,
Research, ADM. “There are a number of challenges associated with
harvest, collection and storage of cellulosic biomass. This
collaborative effort brings together three agricultural leaders
to identify and address the complexities that come with
commercializing a new feedstock.”
“Expansions in biorenewable energy are possible if we are able
to combine productivity and sustainability improvements in
agriculture and forestry with a variety of biomass feedstocks
and the most applicable conversion technologies,” said Dr. Klaus
Hoehn, Vice President, Advanced Technology and Engineering, John
Deere. “We are hopeful the collaboration of our companies will
lead to innovative technologies to improve collection and
provisioning of biomass feedstocks, such as corn stover.”
“Advanced biotechnologies are protecting plants better than
ever, helping the plants to achieve their full grain yield
potential,” said Robb Fraley, Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto
Company. “Achieving this potential also means having healthier,
larger plants producing even more biomass. This provides an
opportunity to convert an underutilized resource into a new
source of value for growers and processors. It’s an exciting
area of research to focus on and we’re pleased to be a part of
it.”
About Archer Daniels Midland Company Every day, the 27,000
people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) turn crops
into renewable products that meet the demands of a growing
world. At more than 240 processing plants, we convert corn,
oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed,
chemical and energy uses. We operate the world’s premier crop
origination and transportation network, connecting crops and
markets in more than 60 countries. Our global headquarters is in
Decatur, Illinois, and our net sales for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2008, were $70 billion.
About John Deere John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is the
world's leading provider of advanced products and services for
agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced
products and services for construction, lawn and turf care,
landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial
services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in
heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has
extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and
innovation around the globe.
Monsanto Company is a leading provider of
technology-based solutions and agricultural products that
improve farm productivity and food quality.
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