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S&W Seed acquires rights to dormant alfalfa genetics
Aug. 23, 2012
S&W Seed Company announced it has purchased the rights to a portfolio of alfalfa varieties suited for colder climate conditions, thereby expanding its alfalfa genetics to include dormant varieties. Since 1980, S&W has focused on breeding and producing non dormant alfalfa seed, known as 8, 9 and 10 dormancies that are suited to warm climates. This purchase is the first time the company has ventured into seed genetics for colder climates, where dormancies of two, three and four dormancies are appropriate.
Today's acquisition of proprietary alfalfa germ-plasm, will help enable S&W to participate in the marketplaces for dormant alfalfa varieties, particularly in countries which do not currently allow GM (genetically modified) seed.
The acquisition also has the potential to help the company produce classically bred, low dormancy, alfalfa seed varieties which might include salt tolerance or other traits tied to S&W's proprietary alfalfa germ-plasm. As part of the acquisition, the company will also be acquiring select multi leaf alfalfa and orchard grass varieties which the company expects will supplement alfalfa seed sales going forward. S&W expects to commence production on its first dormant seed varieties this fall, with seed available for sale in the fall of 2013.
Mark Grewal, chief executive officer of S&W Seed Company, commented, "Today's announcement is a first step into production of low dormancy, alfalfa seed. We believe that the varieties we acquired have excellent traits and can be sold internationally and domestically. This acquisition also gives us access to additional contract seed growers in the United States and Canada that have been growing these and other dormant varieties for a number of years."
Source: S&W Seed news release
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