Corn cobs and stalks are plowed under each fall, adding nutrients to the soil.
Plants are bred to produce a very strong stalk and cob, which, following harvest, suddenly becomes very subject to quick decomposition. That strong, then suddenly very weak plant, combination has always been a tricky balancing act, and has made huge advances in recent years with the ability to genetically alter the plants.
What % of the corn crop is sold on the cob?