ABSTRACT As more emphasis is placed on biopower and biofuels, the availability of biomass feedstock is taking center stage. The growth of the biomass feedstock market is further strengthened by the implementation of new regulations and federal programs. One option for biomass feedstock is the removal of cover crops, such as cereal rye. An experiment was initiated to compare three rye residue management techniques (residue retained, residue harvested or removed, and no rye cover control) and four nitrogen fertilizer treatments (0, 45, 90, 125 lb ac -1 ). Initial findings from this study show that the removal of rye cover crops for biomass feedstock is a viable option for producers, given the assumptions in the study. Further investigation is needed to determine the complete economic impact of removing rye cover crop for biomass feedstock
