Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness, a recognized leader in the marketing and distribution of crop protection, seed and nutritional products, as well as precision agriculture technology, on Tuesday announced an agreement with S&W Seed Company, a leader in the alfalfa seed industry, to provide S&W’s alfalfa seed varieties at Wilbur-Ellis’s more than 160 retail locations throughout the U.S.
The agreement provides Wilbur-Ellis’ customers with S&W’s full portfolio of premium alfalfa seed genetics, including the industry’s most salt-tolerant varieties with Roundup Ready technology. Wilbur-Ellis will expand the presence of S&W’s alfalfa seed varieties through Wilbur-Ellis’s expansive market reach.
“Wilbur-Ellis and S&W both have rich histories in the alfalfa seed industry,” says S&W CEO Mark Grewal. “Wilbur-Ellis maintains a full network of field specialists who enable it to have a clear understanding of the agronomic needs of its customers, recognize and respond quickly to opportunities, and develop strong, one-on-one relationships. We look forward to leveraging Wilbur-Ellis’s strong distribution network to drive further adoption of S&W’s premium alfalfa seed traits and varieties in the United States, as well as a mutually rewarding, long-term relationship with Wilbur-Ellis and its customers.”
With a dedicated team of seed salespeople to drive adoption, Wilbur-Ellis’s customers will have access to S&W’s dormant and non-dormant alfalfa seed traits, including the industry’s highest salt tolerance, high yield, leading drought resistance, improved disease resistance for most pests, including Anthracnose, Phytopthora root rot, Aphanomyces, Verticillium wilt, stem nematode, aphids, tolerance to lodging and Roundup Ready products as they become available.
“Strategic partnerships like this with S&W are vital to Wilbur-Ellis’s growth and expansion as a company,” says Wilbur-Ellis national alfalfa seed manager Paul Coit. “Mark has created a great synergy between his knowledgeable staff and S&W’s impressive alfalfa seed portfolio. We are a solution-providing distribution company that always has the best interest of our partners and our customers in mind. With higher yields and less water needed, our alfalfa growers will no doubt benefit from this important partnership and our distribution of these varieties.”
In addition to Wilbur-Ellis providing S&W-branded varieties, S&W will provide seed for Wilbur-Ellis’s privately labeled Integra brand of alfalfa seed as well.