Not only are harvested corncobs an excellent ethanol feedstock, removing cobs from the fields rather than plowing them under results in no substantial difference in soil nutrient content.
“This information reinforces previous research showing that corncobs are a sustainable, environmentally friendly feedstock for producing cellulosic ethanol, and removing them from the field will not alter soil quality,” said Scott Weishaar, Poet vice president of commercial development.
Another use for cobs is as alt fuel for coal plants, something Willmar MN tested this past winter. The photo shows a huge mound of cobs ready to be mixed with coal.