Corn stover is the above ground, non-grain portion of the corn plant (stalks, leaves, corn husks, and cobs), that can, in addition to the corn grain, be used for bioenergy and bioproducts. Based on existing corn acres and grain yields, about 281 million dry tons of stover were produced annually between 2000-2004, however, not all of this material can be removed. Corn stover plays a vital role in maintaining soil characteristics (e.g., soil organic matter and soil moisture), controlling erosion and chemical runoff, and ensuring the long-term productivity of the soil. Sufficient stover quantities must be left on the field to maintain these functions—the quantities needed will depend on the conditions under which the corn is produced (i.e., crop rotation, tillage and other management practices, soil type, field characteristics such as slope, climate, etc.). Estimated quantities and costs of collecting corn stover vary substantially by study depending on assumed corn production practices, soil properties accounted for, and stover collection methods employed.