S&W Seed Company (SANW) said Wednesday that it has purchased the rights to a portfolio of alfalfa varieties which suites colder climate conditions, thereby expanding its alfalfa genetics to include dormant varieties.
S&W has focused on breeding and producing non dormant alfalfa seed, known as 8,9 and 10 dormancies, since 1980.
However, this purchase is the first time the company has ventured into seed genetics for colder climates, where dormancies of two, three and four are appropriate.
The 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 genetically manufactured 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.
S&W Seed noted that it will be acquiring select multi leaf alfalfa and orchard grass varieties as part of the transaction. The company expects that this will supplement alfalfa seed sales going forward.
Production on the first dormant seed varieties are expected to commence this fall, with seed available for sale in the fall of 2013.
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