b'PARTNER CONTENTLeveraging Genetics, New Technologies and PartnershipsS&W Seed Company continues to expand their portfolio offerings.S erving the forage and specialty crops markets with a com-mitment to developing industry leading genetics, S&W Seed Company is dedicated to the success of agriculture across all of the industrys spectrums. With more than 40 years of develop-ing hybrids and varieties that deliver improved yields on excep-tional and marginal soils alike, S&W continues to bring forward the technology and partnerships that drive advancement. The companys endeavors reflect its vision: to be the worlds preferred proprietary seed company which supplies a range of forage and specialty crop products and supports the growing global demand for animal proteins and healthier consumer diets. In 1980, two California ranchers, looking for alfalfa solutions to better fit the needs of their herds, enlisted the expertise of leading breeders and agronomists to develop varieties that would provide superior traits while maximizing yield. The venture set in motion an upward trajectory for growth, quality and development that would launch market expansion into the Middle East and Africa within the same decade. When S&W purchased Pioneers alfalfa assets including germplasm and varieties, production and research locations in 2014, the company was already known as a world leader for non-dormant alfalfa. The acquisition included the retention of all Pioneers R&D and production staff, brought Pioneers alfalfa germplasm, varieties, a seed processing plant and a research loca-tion under S&Ws leadership. The alfalfa germplasm opportunity was further capitalized through the completion of a new state of the art additional research facility in Nampa, Idaho.Previously, Pioneer had the premium dormant alfalfa varietalThrough strategic partnerships and acquisitions, S&W is positioned R&D breeding program in the U.S., Robin Newell, S&Ws Americasto be a leading a supplier of sorghum and alfalfa genetics.marketing director says. Purchasing Pioneers alfalfa assets allowed us to expand our alfalfa portfolio. Launching Alfalfa Partners brandIn addition to the acquisitions, S&W is also working on new in 2020 will further broaden our market impact. technologies through partnerships with Adama on herbicide toler-S&W has also expanded its seed portfolio by adding sorghumance to sorghum. S&W is also working with and Ag Alumni Seed and sunflowers. The purchases of SV Genetics, NextSteppe, Chro- Improvement Association Inc. on Dhurrin Free Sorghums, as well matin and the Sorghum Partners brand, have positioned S&W asas partnering to develop a new low-lignin alfalfa trait in the future. a leading supplier of elite alfalfa and sorghum genetics in the U.S.All three initiatives promise to deliver effective and economical and global markets.crop management solutions to sorghum and alfalfa growers. Looking to the future, S&W has also acquired the AustralianFrom its inception in 1980, S&W continues its path of change wheat breeding program from Dow AgroSciences, with intentionsand growth, to expand its offerings to a full portfolio of dormant, of bringing superior wheat varieties to market over the next fewnon-dormant and salt-tolerant alfalfa varieties, along with a full years. As well as the acquisition of Pasture Genetics, an Australianportfolio of sorghum hybrids and sunflowers. The company is po-forage company whose sales and marketing team significantlysitioned to expand their market presence through its new Alfalfa expands S&Ws access to the Australian domestic distributionPartners and expanded Sorghum Partners brands in the United channel. States.OCTOBER 2020SEEDWORLD.COM /21'