LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A legume that is generally considered a fringe crop in Nebraska has taken root in the state.

The yellow field pea has been growing in popularity with dry-land farmers who practice no-till farming in the semiarid region west of North Platte.

In recent years, peas have gone from being planted on only a few Nebraska farms to covering about 55,000 acres in 2016. Last year was the first year the crop got popular enough in Nebraska to be included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports

New Alliance farmer Mark Watson says one downside to peas is how much yields can vary due to adverse weather.

USDA figures show Nebraska farmers planned to plant 45,000 acres of peas this year.