I would consider Estancia, too. The yields are not the issues in all of these novel fescues. Where we lose money and pasture potential the most is on stand persistence. You mentioned one that does not do so well. I've seen that repeatedly. The row patterns are obvious 2 or 3 years after planting and performance is poor. Martin 2 has little trial data from what I saw so you are on your own there. The Baroptima Plus and Estancia have trial data. The 34 will be a short option when a drought comes to visit.
Who has Estancia? Is it a novel or endophyte free variety? I prefer novel to keep the good characteristics of fescue.
If you are not a purist, mix Estancia, Plus and Persist Orchardgrass and let 'er rip. The survivors will be there. Let them decide if they want to live or die.
Have you tried this? I'd be curious to see how the OG persists. I know the name implies persistence, and from what data I have seen, I believe a well managed stand will do just that.
But above all, you had better plan to manage better. Cattle and sheep grazing novel endophyte fescues will eat more per day, gain more per day, graze it closer than KY31 and if you have a strip grazing routine then you will need more acres or less head because they will eat it quicker and you'll need to protect the grazed portion (back wire) more from thinning out. There's no free lunch.
:clap: Say it a little louder for those in the back. MANAGEMENT is KEY to these novel endophytes for the very reasons you mentioned. If a producer is not willing to make modifications to their grazing system to accommodate the novel endophyte varieties, my personal opinion is that they may want to look at other options. A blend is a good option to account for management, weather, etc. I like the way you think.
The most aggravation part to me that seems deceptive: how long will it be before KY31 creeps in and you need to renovate all again? I've never ever seen a guru even estimate that time period. It will happen. KY31 is the king of persistence and movement. Renovation is a huge cost , labor and missed grazing. Whatever we do, let's be economically honest about it.