S&W Seed To Conduct Alfalfa Hay Trials in China

FIVE POINTS, Calif., July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- S&W Seed Company (Nasdaq: SANW) today announced the planned initiation of alfalfa hay trials for five dormant alfalfa varieties in the People's Republic of China (PRC). The PRC trials are part of S&W's continuing effort to expand the worldwide markets for its proprietary alfalfa seed varieties. The alfalfa hay trials will be conducted at four different sites in the PRC, using varieties recently acquired and internally developed by S&W. The trials are scheduled to commence in the next few weeks, subject to receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals. The purpose of the PRC trials is to evaluate the capabilities of selected S&W dormant varieties, with respect to factors including forage quality, yield and persistence, in certain important growing environments in the PRC.

Alfalfa seed is ranked by dormancy, and dormant varieties are suited to cooler climates such as the northern United States, Canada, Europe and the northern regions of the People's Republic of China.  Although S&W has historically been a provider of "non-dormant" varieties produced in warmer climates, the Company has recently sought to create a presence in the "dormant" alfalfa seed marketplace. The majority of alfalfa hay in the PRC is grown in the northern regions of the country, where dormant varieties (dormancy ranges of 0 through 4) are most suitable.  The S&W varieties being trialed are Trophy, SW4328, Rhino, M777, and Runner, all varieties that have dormancy ratings from 2 through 4.  The Company believes its dormant varieties will perform well in the forage growing areas of the PRC that have been initially targeted by the Company and its local advisors, and expect full results within the next twelve months. 

The PRC is generally considered to be the world's largest undeveloped market for dairy products, due to the large population base that is underserved by domestic dairies. Historically, however, the quality and yield capabilities of alfalfa grown in the PRC have not matched those of alfalfa grown in the US, the EU and other parts of the world where dairy industries are more developed. As dairy operations in the PRC seek to improve both the quality and quantity of milk production, the Company believes that PRC dairies will increasingly demand high quality alfalfa, produced domestically.  

Mark Grewal, president and chief executive officer of S&W Seed Company, commented, "We see big opportunities for our dormant varieties in the People's Republic of China.  The PRC has recently expanded the importation of alfalfa hay to feed their livestock due to insufficient domestic supplies, the lower quality of alfalfa within the country and a lack of substitute forage alternatives.  If our initial alfalfa hay trials validate quality, yield and persistence goals for our varieties in the PRC, we will be well positioned to participate in a large and growing market."

Mr. Grewal concluded, "We are also in the process of leveraging our relationships to establish a distribution platform within the PRC. We believe an integrated approach in this important market will be necessary.  We are working hard to develop relationships with key leaders in the industry to successfully bring the S&W alfalfa varieties to the farming community of the PRC."

About S&W Seed Company
Founded in 1980, S&W Seed Company is a global agricultural company, headquartered in the Central Valley of California. The company is the largest producer of non-dormant alfalfa seed varieties in the world, with production operations in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valley's of California, as well as in South Australia. The company has worldwide sales and distribution through both a direct sales force as well as dealer-distributors.  The company's proprietary varieties are designed to meet the shifting needs of farmers that require high performance in poor and highly saline soil conditions and have been verified over decades of university-sponsored trials.  Additionally, the company is utilizing its research and breeding expertise to develop and produce U.S.-based stevia leaf.  Stevia is an all-natural, zero calorie sweetener from the food and beverage industry. For more information, please visit www.swseedco.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks identified in the Company's 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, and other filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE S&W Seed Company