Founded in 1980, S&W Seed Company is a global agricultural company,
headquartered in the Central Valley of California, the US. The company is the
largest producer of non-dormant alfalfa seed varieties in the world, with production
operations in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys of California, as well as in
South Australia.
China's alfalfa industry is growing quickly as it seeks to meet the demand
for high-quality forage from the domestic dairy industry. In early 2012, the central government launched a
USD84.95 million (RMB525 million) program called Development of Alfalfa to
Revitalize Domestic Dairy Industry to promote alfalfa planting. Because of
this, the planting area of alfalfa has grown quickly, generating rising demand
for high-quality alfalfa seeds.
The trials in China are part of S&W Seed's continuing effort
to expand worldwide markets for its proprietary alfalfa seed varieties. Mark
Grewal, president and chief executive officer of S&W Seed, commented,
"We see big opportunities for our dormant varieties in China. China
has recently expanded the importation of alfalfa hay to feed its 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 China, we will be well positioned to participate in a large and growing
market."
He concluded that the company is working hard to develop relationships
with key leaders in the alfalfa planting industry to successfully bring
S&W alfalfa varieties to the farming community of China.
US-based S&W Seed, one of the world's leading alfalfa seed suppliers,
announced on July 15, 2013 that it will conduct alfalfa hay trials in China for
five dormant alfalfa varieties that it recently acquired or developed. They are
Trophy, SW4328, Rhino, M777 and Runner. The trials will start in the next few
weeks, depending on regulatory approval. The trials will evaluate the
capabilities of S&W Seed's dormant varieties, with respect to
factors including forage quality, yield and persistence in key parts of China.
Results are expected within the next twelve months. All five
varieties are reported to have dormancy ratings from 2 to 4.
Dormant alfalfa varieties grow well in cooler climates such as the
northern regions of China, where the majority of China's alfalfa is grown, such
as Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia and Shaanxi. With early regreening in spring
and fast regeneration after mowing, alfalfa varieties of dormancy ratings
3 and above have seen larger planting areas in northern China.
Although S&W Seed has historically sold "non-dormant"
alfalfa varieties for use in warmer climates, the company's tests in China
reflect its ambition to move into "dormant" seeds.
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