Jim,
I did some more searching and found some more information on the BTU's of corn.
according to Penn state, a bu of corn, at 15.5 % moisture & 56 lbs, will generate a HHV (high heat valve) of 390,320 btu.
I am still looking for a cob corn btu valve, but I can't see it being any less BTUs than the shelled.
in the Garn example, they gave a value of 245,000 btu. they were off by 145,320 btu per bu.
here is the address:
http://energy.cas.psu.edu/energycontent.html
another good address for cost comparisons of various fuels is:
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/techline/fuel-value-calculator.pdf
after looking at these charts, I figure, at my "today" costs, I would be slightly ahead burning corn.
however, I should note that I have an advantage over most people out there, as I have about 120 acres of woodland and another 80+ acres of ground to grow corn.
I would rather pick corn than cut, split haul and stack wood.
there's enough to do around here for exercise.