S&W provides expertise in agricultural breeding, production and processing for the alfalfa, sorghum species, and stevia industries. Each day that passes, three major issues affect the world’s population. First, the population of the world continues to increase; secondly, the availability of arable land continues to decrease. This creates a dire set of circumstances for farmers trying to feed a population increasingly wanting a diet which includes many of the foods that alfalfa hay, the “queen of forages,” supports, including milk, cheeses and beef. Third, the rates of obesity, diabetes and other health-related issues continue to rise around the world, much of which has been attributed to the over-consumption of sugar. A natural alternative is needed in the marketplace, and a growing consensus in the sweetener industry believes that alternative is Stevia. S&W Seed Company is capitalizing on these three very important trends to help farmers combat the challenges of today, while keeping an eye on providing sustainable solutions for tomorrow.
Mission
S&W’s vision is to be the world’s preferred proprietary seed company which supplies a range of forage, grain and specialty crop products that supports the growing global demand for animal proteins and healthier consumer diets.
History of S&W Seed Co.
Nearly 40 years ago, a group of cattleman, were looking to develop the very best alfalfa hay forage for their herd. They enlisted the expertise of the leading breeders and agronomist to develop varieties that would provide superior traits, while maximizing yield.
Since 1980, S&W’s breeders have developed the leading, university verified, non-dormant alfalfa seed varieties available anywhere in the world. In addition, due to the soil conditions around the base of the former Tulare Lake where much of their production took place, S&W developed varieties that would withstand the rigors of the highly saline conditions of the former lake basin.
As farmers in the region began to recognize the capabilities of these recently developed varieties, S&W began selling the seed to farmers throughout the region, as well as other areas of the world that had similar soil challenges, such as the Middle East.
As the original owners transitioned their ownership in the company, the company elected to go public. Since going public in 2010, S&W has dramatically opened new markets, expanded acreage dedicated to the production of alfalfa, and expanded its research and development focus beyond its roots in non-dormant varieties, into dormant alfalfa and biotech varieties as well. The company acquired Imperial Valley Seed in October 2012 to expand production in the Imperial Valley growing region of California, and in April 2013 acquired Seed Genetics International, expanding its production capabilities into Australia. SV Genetics was added in 2016, bringing extensive R&D in sunflower and sorghum species across five continents.
With worldwide sales and distribution through both a direct sales force as well as dealer-distributors, S&W Seed Company is dedicated to providing the world’s farmers with the very best seed varieties and hybrids to maximize their yields and profits, while providing products for peak performance around the world, just as they have for nearly 40 years.