Persist

The University of Nebraska ran an orchardgrass trial from 2002-2004 at Mead and North Platte. The Mead site was non-irrigated and received 25" of moisture the first year and 27" the second year. The North Plate site was irrigated and received 17" of rain plus 23.6" of irrigation in the first year. In the second year, total rainfall was 21.9" plus an additional 20" of irrigation.

While other varieties out-performed Persist in North Platte, under good irrigation and rainfall, no other variety had a higher yield score for the two years in Mead than Persist. Persist did so well that it was added to the NRCS's Recommended list for varieties for use across the state, in any soil condition, and in any location! For sure, Nebraska and Great Plains farmers will need to discover just how well Persist will do for their applications, but the initial results from this trial are very encouraging.