Case Studies

Established in 1997 by husband and wife team Rob and Ann Damin, Pasture Genetics is a leading Australian producer and marketer of commercial agricultural seed products including clover, forage cereals and lucerne. The company has grown to become a leader in the export of seed to customers all over the world and has captured an estimated 20% of the Australian pasture seed market.

In an acquisition designed to broaden the Australian product portfolio and sales capabilities of California based S&W Seed Co. (Nasdaq: SANW), S&W has acquired all of the share capital of Pasture Genetics.

S&W is a leading force internationally in agricultural breeding, production and processing for the alfalfa, sunflower and sorghum industries. The acquisition is expected to further enhance S&W’s existing assets and drive incremental value. The market reacted positively to the sale, with S&W’s share price jumping 30% on news of the acquisition and analyst consensus rating moving to a “buy”.

Piper Alderman was pleased to be appointed advisers to the owners on the sale to S&W. We worked closely with the owners and sell-side deal team on what is an important transaction in the Australian agribusiness sector.

What our client said:

Rob Damin, General Manager

“Simon and his team did a sterling job for us on the S&W transaction. Simon’s agribusiness expertise and his ability to quickly understand our business made the sale and documentation process cost-effective and efficient. Simon and his team were diligent and professional in their approach, and I really felt like they were as invested as Ann and me in securing a great outcome for us. It was a pleasure working with Simon and his team and we would highly recommend them.”