About Us
Our vision is to be the world’s preferred proprietary seed company which supplies a range of forage and specialty crop products that supports the growing global demand for animal proteins and healthier consumer diets.
S&W provides expertise in agricultural breeding, production and processing for the alfalfa, sunflower, 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.
Our Story
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.
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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.
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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.
Jo Williams
​S&W Plant Breeder, Lucerne
Our Growth
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.
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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.
The International Management Team
Cameron Henley
Managing Director, International
Mr. Henley is an experienced seed industry professional with a demonstrated history of success in the agricultural pasture seed, turf seed and seed treatment industry.
Dennis Jury
Senior Vice President, International Production and Supply Chain
Mr. Jury is a veteran of the agricultural industry. Mr. Jury attained a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, and received his MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management.
Rodney Coe
Sales Manager - Africa/Asia
Mr. Coe Over has over 25 years experience in agricultural businesses in all aspects of management, marketing, production and R&D. He has considerable experience in establishing export markets particularly in Asia and Africa.
Nicole Przybylski
Marketing Lead
Ms. Przybylski has over 10 years experience in international marketing management, with an in depth understanding of commercial processes. Nicole has extensive experience in business transformation, business strategy and digital solutions.