Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Releases New Resource to Navigate the Economics of Biorenewable Feedstocks
AMES, Iowa (August 17, 2026) – As global demand for bio-based products continues to rise, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Ag Decision Maker has released a new resource to help Iowa producers evaluate their role in this emerging market. The publication, “The Cost of Producing Herbaceous Feedstocks for Biomass and Biorenewable Products,” along with its accompanying digital decision tool, provides a detailed economic framework for the production and delivery of biomass.
While materials such as corn stover have traditional uses in livestock bedding, new markets are focusing on advanced applications, including anaerobic digestion for renewable natural gas, pyrolysis for bio-oil and biochar and fermentation for sustainable aviation fuel. To help farmers navigate these opportunities, the new resource focuses on three primary feedstocks: corn stover, winter cereal rye (ryelage) and prairie plantings.
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Originally published by ISU Extension and Outreach in August 2026.