Hay Yields

Tennessee Yield Data

Persist has been independently tested in Tennessee since 1990. And trial after trial, against old varieties and new varieties, Persist continues to produce top yields, almost always higher than any other variety. High yields and extra persistence is what makes Persist a great choice for Tennessee.

Below you will find first a summary table of the most recent Tennessee data, followed by a breakdown by location.

Tennessee Trials by Location

Tennessee Trials by Year

If you are really interested in how Persist pulls away from the pack over time, scan through the next five tables and notice its performance compared to the other varieties in the trial. Also take note of the later cuttings. Persist is almost always on top!

Kentucky Yield Data

Every year, the University of Kentucky (UKY) reports results from their individual trials. Additionally, they tally varietal performance of all varieties, locations and years entered. According to UKY, the "varieties that have performed better than average over many years and at several locations have very stable performance." The following chart shows findings over the last sixteen years. The data is listed as a percentage of the mean of the commercial varieties entered in each specific trials. Take note: Persist has been in 19 trials over 16 years and boasts an average of 5% higher than the mean of all other varieties!

Nebraska Yield Data

The University of Nebraska ran an orchardgrass trial during 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 the first year. The second year, total rainfall was 21.9" plus an additional 20" of irrigation.

Summary

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. In fact, 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 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.

Pennsylvania Yield Data

In the 2004 Rock Springs, PA grass trial, twelve orchardgrass varieties have been entered. The trial was seeded April 20th, 2004. PA researchers' fertility program includes applications of phosphorus and potash to meet the soil test requirements. Additionally, this trial received 70 lbs of N in early April with an additional 50 lbs of N applied after each harvest except the last one. While this trial has seen nearly half the entries maintain statistically equal yields, it is worth noting that at the end of 3.5 years, Persist, along with one other variety, had the top score for stand percentage. For more data visit the Penn State University by clicking here.

Michigan Yield Data

Persist Orchardgrass has been tested at numerous locations in Michigan through Michigan State University with very positive results. While the number of entries in each trial are usually very small, Persist shows it has the ability to perform very well in this challenging climate.

Ohio Yield Data

Ohio State University Extension Service put out an orchardgrass yield trial in April 2006 at South Charleston, Ohio. Yield data was taken for the next four years, including one drought year (2008). The total yield for all four years placed Persist at 8% higher in yields over Potomac. This is consistent with data from Kentucky and Tennessee. It is also worth noting that in 2008, the drought year, Persist had the highest yields of all the commercial varieties. For more data visit OARDC's website .

Canadian Yield data

Ilinois Yield Data

In the 2004 Urbana, IL grass trial, five orchardgrass varieties have been entered. The trial was seeded April 3rd, 2004 on silty-clay loam. Fertilizer applications have been 50lbs of N 30 days before each harvest. While the 3-yr total for each variety remains statistically equal, it is worth noting that the Persist was the highest yielding variety in the third year. If the trial continued on for multiple years, we would expect Persist to remain at the top of yield performance. For more data visit the University of Ilinois by clicking here .