S&W Seed Company's recent acquisition of Australian agribusiness operation Pasture Genetics Pty Ltd is the company's fourth in the past six years, and includes the purchase of three other Australian innovators in seed genetics.
International executive vice-president for S&W, David Callachor said the deal was extremely good news for Australian farmers.
"We are actively developing our business in Australia to expand the range of solutions we offer to local and global agriculturalists," Mr Callachor said.
"Primary production is pivotal for Australia's economy, and Australia is a very important player in this space globally. This country has unique challenges and requirements and we are focusing hard on those needs," he said.
"We see the strategic fit between S&W and Pasture Genetics Pty Ltd. as enabling us to deliver further power to Australian farmers who want to succeed in today's challenging environment.
"We are very excited about the opportunity to invest further in Australian farming."
S&W operates significant research and development operations, breeding and marketing a broad range of proprietary agricultural seed including grain and forage sorghums, lucerne, and sunflower varieties in more than 35 countries. The company also develops and markets a range of quality wheat varieties for Australian farmers.
Pasture Genetics is a significant 23-year-old family-owned agricultural seed sales business based in Wingfield, SA. Founded in 1997 by Rob and Ann Damin, it employs a staff of 30.
Pasture Genetics specialises in pasture seed variety sales across Australia and in selected offshore markets.
The whole of the Pasture Genetics business, seed portfolio and Pasture Genetics' Goldstrike seed treatment product are included in the deal with S&W.
Mr Callachor and Mr Damin said in a joint statement that it would be 'business as usual' throughout integration and transition.
"There is such alignment between the business units that the strengths of one really connect with the other," Mr Callachor said.
He said Pasture Genetics will be fully integrated into the S&W business unit for maximum benefit to market moving forward.
"This acquisition is about growth and expansion of opportunity. Plans for the integration are designed to ensure that the core strengths of both businesses are captured and nurtured for future success.
"For the future, customers can look forward to even more premium-quality agricultural seed solutions from us, developed specifically with local on-farm challenges and global agribusiness opportunities in mind."
Founded in 1980, S&W Seed Company is a global agricultural seed specialist. In Australia, which is headquarters for S&W's International Division, operations are located in Adelaide and Keith, SA, Tamworth, New South Wales, and Toowoomba, Queensland.
- Visit: www.swseedco.com.au