A new study by Michigan State University (MSU) scientists in the United States shows that corn stover (leaves and stalk) offer the most profit for farmers who are considering bioenergy crop cultivation. The full paper is published in the Agronomy Journal. Economics professor and co-author, Scott Swinton, says that many farmers are curious about whether they should be growing cellulosic crops for biofuels. They could make informed decisions if they know: (1) the return of investment from growing the crops, (2) crop yields, and (3) cost of production. "Having more corn in the landscape does come at a social cost", and perennial crops may offer more environmental benefits than corn, in terms of better carbon and water footprints, and biodiversity preservation. "However, without special subsidies, perennial grasses and poplar don't match the profitability of corn unless biomass prices rise to more than $90 a ton". The full paper is posted online at the Agronomy Journal website (URL above)..