Company Description
S&W Seed Company (SANW) is a multi-crop, middle-market agricultural business in the farm supplies and seed sector. According to company disclosures, S&W focuses on proprietary seed products that support demand for animal proteins and healthier consumer diets. The company has described itself as a global and U.S.-focused agricultural seed company at different times, reflecting a transition in its operations.
Founded in 1980, S&W Seed Company is headquartered in Longmont, Colorado. The company has stated that its vision is to be a preferred proprietary seed company, supplying sorghum, forage and specialty crop products. Over time, S&W has emphasized sorghum and alfalfa as core crops and has also highlighted work on sustainable biofuel feedstocks through a partnership focused primarily on camelina.
Business focus and crop portfolio
S&W describes itself as a multi-crop agricultural company with a particular emphasis on sorghum and alfalfa. In multiple news releases, the company notes that it is a leader in sorghum seeds with research and development, production and distribution capabilities. S&W has also described itself as a global leader in alfalfa and proprietary sorghum seeds. In addition, it reports a commercial presence in proprietary alfalfa and, at times, pasture and sunflower seeds.
The company has highlighted its sorghum trait technology as a central part of its strategy. Management commentary references high-value, high-margin sorghum trait solutions, including its Double Team sorghum trait portfolio and a Prussic Acid Free sorghum trait. S&W has discussed plans to combine traits, such as Double Team and Prussic Acid Free, into a single seed option, and has characterized high-value trait technology solutions as important to its long-term approach in sorghum.
Through a partnership, S&W also focuses on sustainable biofuel feedstocks primarily within camelina. The company has referred to a biofuels joint venture with Shell and to an investment in a camelina biofuel joint venture, positioning this as an additional crop area alongside sorghum and alfalfa.
Geographic and operational evolution
Company communications describe an evolution in S&W’s geographic footprint. Earlier disclosures characterize S&W as a global multi-crop agricultural company with international sales and an Australian subsidiary, S&W Seed Company Australia Pty Ltd. Subsequent releases explain that S&W Australia entered a voluntary administration process and that creditors approved a Deed of Company Arrangement transferring all shares of S&W Australia to another party.
Following completion of that process, S&W has stated that it is exclusively or primarily focused on its core U.S.-based or Americas-based operations, led by its Double Team sorghum solutions and related sorghum trait technologies. The company has also referenced an International segment in its financial discussions, including sales in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa and various export markets, but has made clear that its strategic focus has shifted toward its core Americas business.
Strategic direction and capital structure
S&W has reported a series of strategic and financing steps intended to reshape its operations and capital structure. The company has discussed repositioning to focus on high-margin sorghum trait technology and core Americas-based operations, implementing an operating optimization plan to align its cost structure, and closing a revolving credit agreement with ABL OPCO LLC (Mountain Ridge) to provide working capital. It has also reported the conclusion of the voluntary administration process for S&W Australia and related agreements transferring certain intellectual property and inventory and releasing guarantees.
On January 13, 2025, S&W announced that its board of directors commenced a process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the company, a merger with another strategic partner, a recapitalization, or continued execution of its business plan. The company has stated that there is no assurance that this review will result in any transaction or specific outcome.
Trading status and delisting
S&W Seed Company’s common stock has traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol SANW. In July 2025, the company’s board approved a voluntary delisting of its common stock from The Nasdaq Capital Market and a subsequent voluntary deregistration of its common stock with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in order to terminate and suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
On July 24, 2025, S&W Seed Company filed a Form 25 with the SEC to remove its common stock from listing and registration on The Nasdaq Capital Market, relying on the rule for voluntary withdrawal by the issuer. The company has indicated that, following the effectiveness of the Form 25, it intends to file a Form 15 to suspend its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. S&W has also stated that it has not arranged for listing or registration of its common stock on another national securities exchange or for quotation in another quotation medium. It has noted that its common stock may be eligible to be quoted on the Pink Open Market operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. if certain conditions are met, but it has provided no assurances that a trading market will exist.
Credit facilities and collateral actions
S&W has entered into a senior secured credit facility with Mountain Ridge under a Credit and Security Agreement providing for up to $25 million of borrowing capacity. Subsequent letter agreements have provided additional revolving loans to fund payroll, legal and professional services, and other estimated costs, often at enhanced interest rates and subject to funding fees. The company has reported an event of default under the Mountain Ridge Credit Agreement related to borrowing base requirements, which triggered default interest and additional restrictions, as well as a cross-default under a separate term loan agreement with AgAmerica Lending LLC.
In June 2025, S&W disclosed that it terminated all non-essential employees, leaving a small group of key employees, and that it was exploring strategic alternatives including potential asset sales, dissolution and liquidation, or other actions, while noting uncertainty about outcomes. In August 2025, the company reported that Mountain Ridge entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code with a third-party buyer to acquire collateral utilized in connection with S&W’s sorghum business, with the buyer also agreeing to assume certain related liabilities. The purchase price consists of a cash payment to Mountain Ridge and potential deferred payments based on collections of certain accounts receivable, subject to customary closing conditions.
Position in the agricultural and seed industry
Within the agricultural seed industry, S&W positions itself around proprietary seeds and trait technologies. Company descriptions emphasize leadership in sorghum seeds, with significant research and development, production and distribution capabilities. They also highlight global or regional roles in alfalfa and proprietary sorghum seeds, and a focus on sustainable biofuel feedstocks through camelina partnerships.
S&W’s communications link its products to broader themes such as the growing global demand for animal proteins and healthier consumer diets. Its stated vision is to be a preferred or world’s preferred proprietary seed company supplying sorghum, forage and specialty crop products, and to act as a key technology provider in sorghum through high-value trait solutions.
Key themes for investors and stakeholders
For investors and other stakeholders reviewing S&W Seed Company, several themes recur in the company’s own disclosures:
- Crop and trait focus: Emphasis on sorghum trait technology, including Double Team and Prussic Acid Free sorghum traits, alongside proprietary alfalfa and camelina biofuel feedstocks.
- Geographic shift: Transition from a global footprint with an Australian subsidiary to a primary focus on core U.S.-based or Americas-based operations after the voluntary administration of S&W Australia.
- Capital and liquidity: Use of secured credit facilities, events of default, enhanced interest rates, and collateral-related actions under the Mountain Ridge Credit Agreement, as well as a cross-default under a term loan.
- Strategic review: A formal process to explore strategic alternatives, including potential corporate transactions or continued execution of its business plan.
- Public company status: Voluntary delisting from Nasdaq and plans to deregister its common stock with the SEC, which affect the availability of ongoing Exchange Act reports.
FAQs about S&W Seed Company (SANW)
- What does S&W Seed Company do?
S&W Seed Company describes itself as a multi-crop, middle-market agricultural company focused on proprietary seed products. It emphasizes leadership in sorghum seeds, a commercial presence in proprietary alfalfa, and work on sustainable biofuel feedstocks primarily within camelina through a partnership. - When was S&W Seed Company founded and where is it headquartered?
According to company disclosures, S&W Seed Company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Longmont, Colorado. - Which crops are central to S&W’s business?
S&W highlights sorghum and alfalfa as central crops. It has described itself as a leader in sorghum seeds and, at various times, as a global leader in alfalfa and proprietary sorghum seeds. The company also references pasture and sunflower seeds and a focus on camelina as a sustainable biofuel feedstock. - What is S&W’s focus in sorghum trait technology?
Management commentary points to high-value, high-margin sorghum trait solutions, including the Double Team sorghum trait portfolio and a Prussic Acid Free sorghum trait. The company has discussed plans to introduce a “stacked trait” combining Double Team and Prussic Acid Free in a single seed option, and has described high-value trait technology solutions as important to its long-term approach in sorghum. - How has S&W’s geographic focus changed?
S&W previously operated with a global footprint that included S&W Seed Company Australia Pty Ltd. After S&W Australia entered a voluntary administration process and creditors approved a Deed of Company Arrangement transferring all shares of S&W Australia, S&W has stated that it is exclusively or primarily focused on its core U.S.-based or Americas-based operations, led by its Double Team sorghum solutions. - What strategic alternatives is S&W evaluating?
On January 13, 2025, S&W announced that its board of directors began a process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives. The company stated that it expects to consider options such as a sale of the company, a merger with another strategic partner, a recapitalization, or continued execution of its business plan, while noting there is no assurance that any transaction or specific outcome will result. - What is the trading status of SANW stock?
S&W’s common stock has been listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol SANW. In July 2025, the board approved a voluntary delisting and deregistration. The company filed a Form 25 on July 24, 2025 to remove its common stock from listing and registration on Nasdaq and has indicated its intent to file a Form 15 to suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. S&W has stated that it has not arranged for listing on another national securities exchange and that any future quotation on the Pink Open Market would depend on third-party actions and regulatory conditions. - What credit facilities and defaults has S&W reported?
S&W entered into a senior secured credit facility with ABL OPCO LLC (Mountain Ridge) providing for up to $25 million. The company has disclosed additional revolving loans under that agreement, an event of default related to borrowing base requirements, enhanced interest rates on certain obligations, and a cross-default under a term loan agreement with AgAmerica Lending LLC. It has also reported that Mountain Ridge issued a notice of private disposition of collateral and later entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with a third-party buyer for collateral used in S&W’s sorghum business. - Is S&W Seed Company still filing regular SEC reports?
S&W has stated that, following the effectiveness of its Form 25 and a planned Form 15 filing, its obligation to file certain Exchange Act reports and forms, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, will cease, and that it expects to be generally relieved of reporting obligations under the Exchange Act upon the effectiveness of deregistration. - How does S&W describe its role in supporting food and energy markets?
In its own descriptions, S&W links its proprietary seed products to the growing demand for animal proteins and healthier consumer diets. It also highlights a partnership focused on sustainable biofuel feedstocks primarily within camelina, indicating an interest in crops connected to energy transition themes.