Uses for Cob Feed Corn

Ethanol

• One modern use for corn cob feed is the creation of ethanol. Energy companies who produce ethanol have long used corn kernels at their plants. More recently these companies have begun to use the cobs themselves to generate steam, which in turn helps create ethanol. The use of corn cob feed is economically practical for farmers and energy producers and is also environmentally conscious; the cobs have a small carbon footprint compared with some other energy sources.

Animal Bedding

• Another use for feed corn cobs is the production of bedding for pets, farm and laboratory animals. Ground feed corn cobs are used on farms as bedding for poultry animals and is processed industrially for pet and laboratory animal bedding.

Environmental Applications

• A recent potential use for corn cob feed has come about as a result of the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Untreated dried corn cobs have been touted as possible material to clean up oil in the water by absorbing it. Proponents claim the corn cobs are both economically efficient, because the cobs used will have already been used as feed, and easy to clean up after the job is completed.

Other Uses

• There are many other uses for corn cob feed. Many people purchase dried, prepackaged corn cob feed for backyard wildlife such as squirrels and rabbits. Others make jelly out of corn cobs. Corn cob feed has even been used in cosmetics, pet litter and cleaning products.