A stalk roll assembly for a corn harvester includes a first stalk roll having a first elongate cylinder and rotates about a first axis, and a second stalk roll has a second elongate cylinder rotates about a second axis. A third stalk roll has a third elongate cylinder, is positioned above the first stalk roll and rotates about a third axis, and a fourth stalk roll has a fourth elongate cylinder, is positioned above the second stalk roll and rotates about a fourth axis. A first plate is positioned between the first stalk roll and the third stalk roll, and a second plate is positioned between the second stalk roll and the fourth stalk roll. The first and second stalk rolls are spaced apart to separate corn ears from corn stalks.