Stover consists of the leaves and stalks of corn (maize), sorghum or soybean plants that are left in a field after harvest. It can be directly grazed by cattle or dried for use as fodder (forage). It is similar to straw, the residue left after any cereal grain or grass has been harvested at maturiry for its seed.

Stover has attracted some attention as a potential alternative fuel source, and as biomass for fermentations.

"Stover" is also a family name of German origin that is common in some parts of the eastern United States. Its relationship to the origin of the agricultural term is unclear.

By marriage, the Stover family tree can link itself to the American pioneer and frontiersman Daniel Boone, as his aunt Sarah married Jacob Stover.

Spelling variations of Stover are Stauffer, Staufer, Staufert, and Stouffer.