In 2025, UNL CropWatch field pea variety trials in Nebraska showed variable results due to weather, with trials conducted in Cheyenne, Lincoln and Perkins counties, while Grant (winter pea) and Scotts Bluff County (spring pea) sites failed due to environmental conditions.
Highlights of 2025 Dryland Winter/Spring Pea Trials in Western Nebraska
Top Performer (Yellow Spring): Recommended for commercial production in western Nebraska are Valesco ‘AAC Julius’* (41 bu/ac), 'AAC IronHorse'* (39 bu/ac), and ‘AAC Chrome’* (39 bu/ac). Top three are experimental lines and they are not released yet. *Certified seeds are available in Nebraska.
Top Performers (Winter): Recommended for commercial production in western Nebraska are ProGene ‘Pro 144-7211’ (22 bu/ac), ProGene 'Blaze' (21 bu/ac), and Valesco ‘Winterberry’* (21 bu/ac). Top four are experimental lines and they are not released yet. *Certified seeds are available in Nebraska.
Active Locations: Trials were conducted in Cheyenne County (Winter/Spring) and Perkins County (Spring).
Failed Sites: Grant County (Winter) and Scotts Bluff County (Spring — hailstorm).
These trials are designed to help growers choose varieties based on yield and adaptability for the Nebraska Panhandle.
Winter Pea
The winter pea variety trials were planted in the fall of 2024, with 22 varieties at two locations in Nebraska: Sidney and Grant. The varieties included eight from ProGene Plant Research, 10 from Montana State University, five from USDA-ARS the Grain Legume Genetics Physiology Research, and one from Valesco Genetics. The varieties from USDA-ARS and MT are new in 2025.
Cheyenne County
Location: UNL High Plains Ag Lab, near Sidney
Peas were planted on Sept. 19, 2024.
This year's winter pea trial at Cheyenne County was fair. The trial was planted on tilled ground under a linear irrigation system*. The field was pre-irrigated before planting. The stand was limited before winter, although planted on time. However, there was a very good stand, with an average of 67%; range 90-33%, in late April. Significant winter kill was observed in a few specific varieties.
*Cheyenne County trial is planted under rescue irrigation because the past several trials failed when planted under dryland.
- Seed Yield: Trial average was 18 bu/acre (ranged 6 bu/acre to 25 bu/acre). The top seven yielding varieties are: PS11300240W of USDA-ARS (25 bu/acre), MTP 190820 and MTP 191029 of MSU (both 24 bu/acre), MTP 190887 of MSU and Pro 144-7211 of ProGene(both 22 bu/acre), Blaze of ProgGene and Winterberry of Valesco (both 21 bu/acre).
- Average test weight was 52 lbs/bu (ranging from 32 lbs/bu to 60 lbs/bu).
- Seed protein was 28% (ranging from 27-29%).
- The average weight of 1,000 seeds weight was 137g (ranging from 111g to 268g).
- Maturity: Average date of 50% flowering was June 6 (June 22 to June 9).
Perkins County
Location: UNL Stump Wheat Research Center, near Grant
Failed due to weather, no visible stand in the fall due to too dry soil.
Spring pea variety trials were planted in spring 2025 with 19 varieties (Meridian Seeds — two, ProGene — five, Puris (GTPC) — four, and Valesco Genetics — eight. Overall, this year’s spring pea variety testing result was excellent compared to the last two to three years’ extremely poor yield due to drought and high temperature. This year’s weather was ideal, with ample rainfall and mild temperatures throughout the growing season. Seed yield was significantly higher than the long-term average. Flowering/maturity was approximately seven to 10 days later than the long-term average.
*New varieties in 2025 are Varieties from Puris and 25-24 from Valesco.
Spring Pea
Spring pea variety trials were planted in spring 2025 with 19 varieties (Meridian Seeds — two, ProGene — five, Puris [GTP] — four, and Valesco Genetics — eight). Overall, this year’s spring pea variety testing result was excellent compared to the last two to three years, which experienced extremely poor yield due to drought and high temperature. This year’s weather was ideal, with ample rainfall and mild temperatures throughout the growing season. Seed yield was significantly higher than the long-term average. Flowering/maturity was approximately seven to 10 days later than the long-term average.
*New varieties in 2025 are Varieties from Puris and 25-24 from Valesco.
Perkins County
Location: UNL Stump Wheat Research Center
This year's spring pea trial at Perkins County was good. The trial was planted about a week later than the normal target planting time. The stand was excellent. No disease or insects were observed.
- The top seven yielding varieties are: GTPC005 of Puris (46 bu/acre), GTPC007 of Puris (43 bu/acre), 25-84 of Valesco (42 bu/acre), AAC Julius of Valesco (41 bu/acre), GTPC004 of Puris (40 bu/acre), AAC IronHorse (previously tested as 5206) and AAC Chrome of Valesco (both 39 bu/acre).
- Average test weight was 56 lbs/bu (ranging from 53 lbs/bu to 60 lbs/bu).
- Seed protein was 27% (ranging from 24-30%).
- Maturity: Average date of 50% flowering was June 10 (June 6 to June 13).
- The average weight of 1,000 seeds weight was 185g (ranging from 1149g to 255g).
Cheyenne County
Location: UNL High Plains Ag Lab
This year's spring pea trial at Cheyenne County was very poor, as a hailstorm before harvest caused major yield loss. The trial was still harvested since it was not 100% lost. Therefore, the yield was significantly lower than the average in the past. The result should be considered with extreme caution since the yield variability was very significant due to random hail damage.
- Seed Yield: Trial average was seven bu/acre (ranging from four bu/acre to 11 bu/acre). The top seven yielding varieties are: AAC IronHorse, previously tested as 5206 (11 bu/acre), AAC Julius of Valesco (10 bu/acre), AAC Beyond and 25 to 84 of Valesco (both 9 bu/acre), 173 to 7406 of ProGene (42 bu/acre), AAC Chrome, and AAC McMurphy of Valesco (both 8 bu/acre).
Scotts Bluff County
Scotts Bluff County — the alternative for Box Butte County site’s — failed due to hail.
