For Immediate Release

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Greg Ehm
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Ethanol Demand Increases Cornstalk Baling Challenges

(Pella, IA – August 25, 2005) As demand for ethanol increases, so does the interest in baling cornstalks across the Corn Belt. Jay Van Roekel (ROO-kl), product manager with Vermeer Manufacturing Company says that in areas where ethanol plants are on-line they have seen a definite growth in livestock producers feeding cornstalks to their animals along with high quality hay and ethanol by-products.

“Cornstalks have been baled for many years, predominantly for bedding purposes, but the trend today is there’s a good source of distiller’s grains or corn gluten produced as a by-product of the ethanol plant that allows the livestock producer to provide a good alternative feed source.”(:21) (vermeer-jay-cut1)

Van Roekel says they have seen more producers baling cornstalks in states such as Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Illinois, and Minnesota, where a large number of ethanol plants are located already.

“That seems to be the heart of it right now but it’s definitely going to expand as the energy bill was passed and approved and more emphasis is going to be on alternative sources of energy.” (:10) (vermeer-jay-cut2)

It is important for producers to make sure the baler they are using has the capacity and durability to handle cornstalk baling.

“For sure they’re going to want a good, heavy duty machine. Cornstalks are going to have a lot of dirt and debris in them, it’s going to wear on their machines at a higher rate.” (:10) (vermeer-jay-cut3)

And Van Roekel recommends a reliable net wrapping system to keep the corn stalks together. He says that planning and timing is also important when it comes to baling cornstalks.

“It’s important that the stalks rest for three or four days after harvest and then they can go in and bale them without any excess moisture. They also should consider that the new Bt type corn is definitely a higher moisture, the stalks are tougher, so there may be some additional time laying in the field.” (:20) (vermeer-jay-cut4)

Vermeer Manufacturing is producing a series of inserts on cornstalk baling for national farm publications in the next few months that will address some of the special considerations for the practice, such as custom baling and maintaining crop residue. To learn more about baling cornstalks and Vermeer balers and rakes,contact your local Vermeer dealer. To find your nearest dealer go to call 800-370-3659.

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