UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

April 1, 2013
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)



S&W SEED COMPANY
(Exact Name of Company as Specified in Its Charter)

 
Nevada
001-34719
27-1275784
 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
 (Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)

25552 South Butte Avenue
Five Points, CA   93624

(Address of Principal Executive Offices Including Zip Code)

(559) 884-2535
(Company's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


       Not Applicable       

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




Item 2.01    Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On April 1, 2013, S&W Seed Company (the "Company"), together with its wholly owned subsidiary, S&W Seed Australia Pty Ltd, an Australia corporation ("S&W Australia"), closed the previously announced acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Seed Genetics International Pty Ltd, an Australia corporation ("SGI"), from SGI's shareholders (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition was completed pursuant to the terms of the Share Acquisition Agreement, dated March 14, 2013 (the "Acquisition Agreement"), by and among SGI's shareholders, the Company, S&W Australia and SGI.

At closing, the SGI shareholders were paid a purchase price of approximately US$16.7 million. The purchase price consisted of the following: US$5.0 million in cash; 864,865 newly-issued shares of the Company's common stock (with an approximate market value of US$8.7 million based upon the closing price of the Company's common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 1, 2013); and US$3.0 million in the form of a three-year, non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note.

Additional details regarding the Acquisition and the Acquisition Agreement were disclosed in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 20, 2013 (the "Prior 8-K").

The foregoing description of the Acquisition and the Acquisition Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the full text of the Prior 8-K and the full text of the Acquisition Agreement (which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Prior 8-K), both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.02    Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities.

As described in Item 2.01 above, at the closing on April 1, 2013 the Company issued an aggregate of 864,865 shares of its common stock to SGI's four shareholders. The issuances of these shares of common stock were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The approximate value of the shares of common stock issued to SGI's shareholders was US$8.7 million based upon the closing price of the Company's common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 1, 2013.

Item 5.02    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(c) Effective and contingent upon the closing of the Acquisition, the Company appointed Dennis Jury as its Executive Vice President of Operations. Mr. Jury will also serve as Chief Executive and General Manager of SGI--now operating as a subsidiary of S&W Australia and the Company.

Mr. Jury, 53, served as SGI's Managing Director from July 2009 through the closing of the Acquisition. He is a veteran of the agricultural industry, having worked for ICI Crop Care, Schering Ag, and South Australian Seedgrowers Cooperative in various roles including territory sales, territory manager, and product and market development manager, before joining SGI in August 2003 as Business Manager. Mr. Jury studied Agricultural Science at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute in Urbrae, South Australia with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, and received his MBA from the University of Adelaide Graduate School of Management.

Mr. Jury's employment with the Company and SGI will be governed by the terms and conditions of his Contract of Employment with SGI dated March 28, 2013 (the "Employment Contract"). Pursuant to the Employment Contract, Mr. Jury will be paid a base salary of AUD $170,000 per year and will be entitled to participate in SGI's bonus plan from time to time. In addition, Mr. Jury is entitled to vehicle allowance of AUD $12,000 per year, and superannuation (retirement) contributions of AUD $16,380 per year will be made by SGI on Mr. Jury's behalf. Mr. Jury's employment with the Company may be terminated by either party by the giving of one month's notice in writing to the other party.

1


The foregoing description of the Employment Contract does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the full text of the Employment Contract, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.01  Other Events.

In connection with Mr. Jury's appointment as the Company's Vice President of Operations, the Company has changed Daniel Z. Karsten's title of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Effective as of April 1, 2013, Mr. Karsten now serves as the Company's Vice President of Processing. Mr. Karsten will continue to be responsible for overseeing all of the Company's operations in California and will continue to receive the same compensation he was awarded pursuant to his Employment Agreement with the Company dated as of July 1, 2012.

As previously disclosed in the Prior 8-K, at a meeting of the Company's Board of Directors held on March 16, 2013, Mark James Harvey was elected to the Company's Board, subject to completion of the Acquisition. Accordingly, without further action required, Mr. Harvey became the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors on April 1, 2013.

On April 2, 2013, the Company made an announcement regarding the completion of the Acquisition. On April 5, 2013, the Company made an announcement regarding Mr. Harvey's election to its Board of Directors and Mr. Jury's appointment as its Vice President of Operations. Copies of the press releases issued by the Company with respect to these matters are filed as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

The financial statements required as a result of the completion of the Acquisition described herein, will be filed as soon as practicable, and in any event not later than June 19, 2013.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

The pro forma financial information required as a result of the completion of the Acquisition described herein, will be filed as soon as practicable, and in any event not later than June 19, 2013.

(c) Shell Company Transactions.

Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit

Description

2.1

Share Acquisition Agreement dated March 14, 2013, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2013 (SEC File Number 001-34719)

10.1

Contract of Employment dated March 28, 2013

99.1

Press Release dated April 2, 2013

99.2

Press Release dated April 5, 2013

2


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  S&W SEED COMPANY

  By:   /s/ Matthew K. Szot
 
         Matthew K. Szot
         Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 5, 2013

 

 

3


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

Description

2.1

Share Acquisition Agreement dated March 14, 2013, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2013 (SEC File Number 001-34719)

10.1 *

Contract of Employment dated March 28, 2013

99.1 *

Press Release dated April 2, 2013

99.2 *

Press Release dated April 5, 2013

*    Also provided in PDF format as a courtesy.

 

 

 


EXHIBIT 10.1

[Non-award employee contract]

This Contract was made on the 28 th day of March 20 13 ,

between: Seed Genetics International hereinafter referred to as " SGI ",

and: Dennis Jury of 45 Esmond Street Hyde Park hereinafter referred to as the " Employee ".

Whereas

SGI will engage the Employee in the position set out at item 1 of Schedule 1 as detailed in the Position Description provided to the Employee on a full time basis.

The Employee agrees to be employed by SGI in accordance with the terms of this Contract.

Contract of Employment

  1. Definitions
  2. 1.1.   "Act" means the Fair Work Act 2009 as varied or replaced from time to time.

    1.2.   " Business " means the business of conducting plant research, breeding, production and marketing services in connection with seed products and other related services carried on by SGI.

    1.3.   " Business Competing with the Business " means a business that at the relevant time is either:

    1. actually competing with any part of the Business in which the Employee was involved during the Employee's employment; or

    2. in a position where it might reasonably be expected to become such a competitor in the foreseeable future

    1.4.   " Confidential Information " includes all information obtained by the Employee in the course of the employment that is of a confidential nature regarding the previous, current or future business interests, methodology or affairs of SGI or of any person or entity with which SGI may deal or be concerned including, but not limited to:

    1. trade secrets;

    2. technical data, information and drawings, know-how, processes and techniques;

    3. information regarding new germplasm;

    4. information in relation to any plant varieties researched, tested, trialled, exploited, commercialised or otherwise dealt with by SGI;


    1. financial data;

    2. product, market and marketing information;

    3. commercial information about SGI and persons with whom SGI deals;

    4. customer information; and

    5. any information marked "confidential" or which SGI informs the Employee is confidential or a trade secret;

      but excluding:

    6. information available to the public; and

    7. information which the Employee can prove the Employee lawfully possessed before obtaining it in the course of the employment.

    1.5.   " Customer " means a customer of SGI with whom the Employee had personal contact during the 12 months immediately before the termination of the Employee's employment.

    1.6.   " Intellectual Property Rights " means all intellectual property rights including without limitation:

      1. patents, copyright, rights, circuit layouts, registered designs, trademarks, service marks, trade names, plant breeders rights and the right to have Confidential Information kept confidential; and

      2. any application or right to apply for any of those rights.

    1.7.   " Moral Rights " means the right of integrity of authorship, the right of attribution of authorship and the right not to have authorship falsely attributed, more particularly as conferred by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) and rights of a similar nature of anywhere in the world.

  1. Interpretation

    In this Contract, unless the context otherwise requires:

      • singular includes plural and plural includes singular;

      • headings do not affect interpretation;

      • words importing any gender include all other genders; and

      • reference to legislation includes any amendment to it or legislation substituted for it, including any regulations or instruments in force.

  2. Duties

    3.1.   The Employee will exercise the powers and perform the duties which are set out in the Position Description and any other duties as reasonably directed from time to time by SGI.

    3.2.   Without limiting the Employee's responsibilities pursuant to clause 3.1, the Employee will:

    3.2.1.   show utmost good faith and work diligently in the business and affairs of SGI;

    3.2.2.   comply with all of SGI's lawful and reasonable directions given to him;

    3.2.3.   use their best endeavours to promote to the maximum, the business and reputation of SGI;


    3.2.4.   devote the whole of their time, attention and abilities to carrying out their duties and obligations to SGI while at work;

    3.2.5.   not knowingly cause or allow SGI to breach any contract or other commitment or infringe rights of any third party;

    3.2.6.   not do or allow anything that may prejudice a claim under an insurance policy or increase the premium payable on any insurance policy of SGI;

    3.2.7.   not act outside the scope of the authority conferred on the Employee;

    3.2.8.   not put at risk or part with or prejudice the possession of any of SGI's property except in the ordinary course of SGI's business or in the performance of the Employee's duties under this Contract; and

    3.3.   During the Employee's employment, the Employee will not without SGI's prior written consent (which consent may be withdrawn at any time at SGI's discretion):

    3.3.1.   engage in any activity whether paid or unpaid external to the Employee's activities as an employee of SGI which could, in SGI's opinion, conflict with the Employee's duties; or

    3.3.2.   accept any benefit from a third party as an inducement or reward for an act in connection with the Employee's employment; or

    3.3.3.   have an interest in any business or company which could, in SGI's opinion, conflict with the Employee's duties. A holding of up to 5% of the securities (within the meaning of section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001) of a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange is not an interest in a company for the purpose of this clause.

    3.4.   The Employee will comply with all policies of SGI as varied and notified to the Employee from time to time. The Employee agrees and acknowledges that such policies and procedures form a part of the Employee's obligations to SGI but do not impose legally binding obligations on SGI nor do such policies and procedures form a part of this employment contract. The Employee acknowledges that SGI's policies and procedures do not create enforceable rights in favour of the Employee.

    3.5.   The Employee acknowledges that due to the nature of the position, the Employee's employment is not covered by any industrial award.

  1. Assurances

    The Employee assures SGI that:

    4.1.   all information contained in the Employee's resume is or was at the time it was provided to SGI true, accurate and not misleading;

    4.2.   the Employee has the qualifications, personal qualities and skills necessary to perform their obligations under this Contract;

    4.3.   the Employee has not withheld from SGI any information concerning the Employee's qualifications, personal qualities or skills which the Employee ought reasonably to consider would be relevant to SGI's decision to employ the Employee;

    4.4.   there is no impediment, such as a contract with another person or entity, to him/her commencing employment with SGI; and

    4.5.   the Employee will not deal unfaithfully or improperly with any money or other property of SGI.


    4.6.   If, at any time, any of these assurances are found to be false, this may result in termination of the employment without notice in accordance with this employment contract.

  1. Commencement of Employment

    5.1.   The Employee shall commence employment with SGI from the date and at the location recorded in Schedule 1.

    5.2.   SGI may at its sole discretion transfer the Employee's employment to another location on giving reasonable notice.

    5.3.   The Employee agrees to undertake any interstate and overseas travel that may reasonably be required to fulfil the requirements of the Employee's position without additional compensation or remuneration.

  2. Probationary Period

    6.1.   A probationary period of 6 months shall apply to the Employee's employment and either party may terminate the employment during that time by the giving of one (1) week's notice, or payment in lieu of that notice to the other.

  3. Personal Appearance

    The Employee must:

    7.1.   look suitable for his or her position;

    7.2.   project a favourable image for SGI; and

    7.3.   be courteous, efficient and reliable with persons with whom the Employee deals in the course of the employment.

  4. Hours of Work

    8.1.   The normal hours of work for the Employee shall be 40 hours to be worked between 8:30am and 5:30pm on Monday to Friday of each week with a one hour lunch break or at such other times as SGI reasonably requires.

    8.2.   The Employee shall be required to work such additional hours as may be necessary or appropriate from time to time including at nights and on weekends to enable the Employee to carry out their duties properly. There shall be no entitlement to additional remuneration for work in addition to or outside normal hours and the Remuneration Package for the Employee has been determined to incorporate any reasonable additional hours the Employee may be required to work.

    8.3.   SGI may, if it reasonably requires, increase, reduce and/or otherwise vary or alter the normal hours and times of work.

  5. Remuneration Package

    9.1.   In consideration of the Employee performing the duties for SGI and complying with the terms of this Contract, the Employee shall be provided with a Remuneration Package in the terms recorded in Schedule 1. The Remuneration Package includes an amount which compensates the Employee for any additional reasonable hours worked by the Employee.

    9.2.   Any payment that SGI makes to the Employee is intended to discharge the obligations imposed by any statute, award, agreement or other industrial instrument. To the extent that a payment exceeds what is required under any particular law or provision, the excess is to be taken to help satisfy SGI's obligations under any other applicable law or provision.


    9.3.   SGI will deduct all taxes and other deductions from the Remuneration Package which SGI is lawfully authorised or obliged to make (including fringe benefits tax, if applicable).

    9.4.   Where any salary sacrifice arrangements have been agreed to with the Employee, these are recorded in Schedule 1.

    9.5.   The salary component shall be paid monthly and in the final week of each month or as otherwise agreed between the parties.

    9.6.   Superannuation contributions shall be made at the rate recorded in Schedule 1 and into the complying superannuation fund as chosen by the Employee and advised to SGI. The Remuneration Package is inclusive of all of SGI's obligations to make superannuation contributions on behalf of the Employee.

    9.7.   Where SGI provides the Employee with a motor vehicle, either on a `fully maintained' or `tool of trade' basis, the value to the Employee will be as recorded in Schedule 1 and the provision and use by the Employee of the motor vehicle will be in accordance with SGI's motor vehicle policy.

    9.8.   SGI shall review the Employee's Remuneration Package at least annually, and at such other time that SGI decides and shall take into consideration during such review factors including, but not limited to, the Employee's performance, the general economic climate and SGI's specific economic performance. The Employee acknowledges that they are not entitled to an increase in their remuneration as of right and that any increase in the Remuneration Package will be at the sole discretion of SGI.

  1. Expenses

    The Employee will only be entitled to be reimbursed for expenses reasonably incurred in the course of the Employee's employment where such an expense is approved in advance in writing and adequate proof of the expense provided.

  2. Leave

    The Employee is entitled to leave in accordance with the Act and this clause.

    11.1.   Annual Leave

    The Employee is entitled to twenty (20) days' annual leave for each completed year of employment, which shall accrue and be taken in accordance with the Act.

    Annual leave provisions shall be in accordance with SGI's annual leave policy and will be taken with the agreement of, or at the direction of, SGI with the appropriate notice. Annual leave loading is not payable.

    All annual leave accrued but not taken shall be paid to the Employee upon termination of employment for any reason.

    The Employee should endeavour to maintain accrued annual leave below a total of thirty (30) days and SGI may direct the Employee to take leave in order to reduce accrued leave below this level.

    11.2.   Personal Leave

    The Employee is entitled to ten (10) days' personal leave for each completed year of employment which shall accrue and be taken in accordance with the Act.

    Personal leave provisions shall be in accordance with SGI's personal leave policy and shall include sick leave and carer's leave. Personal leave not taken shall accrue from year to year.


    11.3.   Long Service Leave

    The Employee will accrue long service leave in accordance with the South Australian Long Service Leave Act 1987 ("the LSL Act").

    Long service leave provisions shall be in accordance with the LSL Act and SGI's long service leave policy and will be taken with the agreement of, or at the direction of, SGI, with the appropriate notice. Long service leave not taken shall accrue in the terms provided by the LSL Act.

    By agreement between SGI and Employee, long service leave may be granted and taken before the right to such leave has accrued.

    11.4.   Parental Leave

    The Employee may be entitled to a period of fifty-two (52) weeks' unpaid parental leave after twelve (12) months' continuous service strictly in accordance with the Act.

    Parental leave provisions shall be in accordance with SGI's parental leave policy.

    11.5.   Compassionate Leave

    The Employee shall be entitled to compassionate leave when a member of the Employee's immediate family or household member either contracts or develops a personal injury or illness that poses a serious threat to their life, or dies.

    The Employee shall be entitled to compassionate leave of up to 2 days per occasion unless otherwise agreed.

    Compassionate leave provisions shall be in accordance with SGI's compassionate leave policy and the Act.

  1. Confidentiality

    12.1.   SGI is and remains the sole beneficial owner of the Confidential Information.

    12.2.   During and at all times after the termination of the Employee's employment, the Employee must not, except in the ordinary course of the Employee's employment, use or disclose to any third party, in any form or by any means, and must keep in the strictest confidence, all Confidential Information of which the Employee becomes aware whether through the performance of the Employee's duties under this Contract or otherwise.

    12.3.   Clause 12.2 does not apply where use or disclosure of Confidential Information by the Employee is required by law or where the Confidential Information is in the public domain at the time of such use or disclosure other than by reason of a breach of this Contract.

    12.4.   The Employee must take all reasonable steps to prevent the use or disclosure of Confidential Information by a third party.

    12.5.   The Employee agrees to keep the contents of this Contract confidential.

    12.6.   All property, goodwill and benefit in any of SGI's business or in any Confidential Information including in any lists of its customers or suppliers belongs to or on creation, will belong to SGI to the exclusion of the Employee.

  2. Intellectual Property

    13.1.   All Intellectual Property Rights in any document, work or other matter (including without limitation plant material, seed and other germplasm) created or contributed to by the Employee in the course of or in connection with the Employee's employment or using SGI's information and/or resources belong to SGI. The Employee must immediately disclose to SGI all Intellectual Property


    Rights created or contributed to by the Employee. By this Contract (if applicable), the Employee assigns any such Intellectual Property Rights to SGI. The Employee must assist SGI or its nominee at SGI's cost to obtain any statutory or other protection for Intellectual Property Rights as determined by SGI. The Employee must not oppose the grant of any such statutory or other protection to SGI or its nominee nor assist anyone else to oppose the granting of that statutory or other protection to SGI or its nominee or to obtain any statutory or other protection for those Intellectual Property Rights in competition with SGI or its nominee.

    13.2.   To the extent that the Employee is the author of any works in the course of or in connection with the Employee's employment (" works ") and Moral Rights rest in the Employee in relation to the works, the Employee irrevocably and unconditionally consents to SGI being attributed as the author of the works. The Employee will not make any claim in respect of any infringement or contravention of the Employee's Moral Rights (whether it be an act or omission) arising from or in connection with the use, treatment, alteration, attribution of or dealing with the works by SGI.

    13.3.   The Employee irrevocably appoints SGI and any director of SGI jointly and severally to be the Employee's attorney, to sign any document or do anything else in the Employee's name to give effect to this clause 12.

  1. Restraint

    14.1.   The Employee must not, as principal, employee, consultant, agent, director or in any other capacity, directly or indirectly:

    14.1.1.    

    (a) carry on or be engaged in a business similar to any part of the Business in which the Employee is or was involved;

    (b) carry on or be engaged in a Business Competing with the Business;

    (c) induce, solicit or attempt to induce or solicit any Customer to deal with the Employee or any other person or body;

    (d) accept work similar to that performed by SGI from any Customer;

    (e) induce, solicit or attempt to induce or solicit any person to leave the employment of SGI;

    14.1.2.  

    (a) during the Employee's employment;

    (b) within 3 years after the termination of the Employee's employment;

    (c) within 2 years after the termination of the Employee's employment;

    (d) within 12 months after the termination of the Employee's employment;

    (e) within 6 months after the termination of the Employee's employment;

    (f) within 3 months after the termination of the Employee's employment;


    14.1.3.  

    (a) in Australia;

    (b) in South Australia;

    (c) in Adelaide;

    (d) within 5 kilometres from the General Post Office, Adelaide.

    14.2.   Clause 14.1 is read as if each possible combination of:

    14.2.1.   the start of clause 14.1;

    14.2.2.   a conduct in clause 14.1.1;

    14.2.3.   a period in clause 14.1.2; and

    14.2.4.   an area in clause 14.1.3;

    is a separate clause. All these combinations apply cumulatively and each combination is severable from each other combination.

    14.3.   Each combination (as set out in clause 14.2) must be read down to the extent necessary to be valid.

    14.4.   If any individual combination (as set out in clause 14.2) cannot be read down according to clause 14.3, it must be severed. The severance of a particular combination shall not prejudice or in any way affect the validity or enforceability of any other combination.

    14.5.   Without limiting SGI's other remedies, SGI will be entitled to injunctive relief to restrain a breach by the Employee of the terms of this clause 14, in addition to any other rights or remedies which SGI may have.

  1. Termination

    15.1.   Subject to subclause 6.1, either party may terminate this Contract by the giving of one month's notice in writing to the other party.

    15.2.   SGI may elect to make a payment in lieu of part or all of the required notice period, or may require the Employee to work out all or part of that period.

    15.3.   If the Employee's employment is terminated pursuant to this clause 15, SGI may at its discretion direct the Employee not to attend for work during the whole or part of the notice period or to perform alternate duties for the whole or part of the notice period. For the sake of clarity, if SGI makes a direction in accordance with this clause, this Contract will continue in full force and effect until the date the termination takes effect.

    15.4.   If the Employee does not give SGI the required notice and/or fails to complete the notice period given, the Employee shall be liable to pay to SGI one month's salary, or an amount that is equivalent to the period of notice that has not been provided by the Employee. Any amount owing to SGI as a result of the operation of this clause is recoverable as a debt to SGI.

    15.5.   Notwithstanding the provisions of subclause 15.1, SGI may terminate the Employee's employment summarily at any time due to issues including, but not limited to:

    • the serious and wilful misconduct of the Employee;

    • neglect or dishonesty of the Employee;

    • a serious or persistent breach of this Contract by the Employee;


    • a deliberate failure by the Employee to comply with SGI's policies and procedures;

    • conviction of the Employee of any criminal offence (excluding an offence such as road traffic legislation for which an expiation notice may be imposed);

    • conduct by the Employee likely to cause a serious risk to health and safety;

    • the Employee becoming of unsound mind or becoming liable to be dealt with under the law relating to mental health;

    • conduct by the Employee that is discriminatory and/or offensive, including conduct that utilises electronic means;

    • the Employee failing to comply with any reasonable directions of SGI;

    • the Employee being affected by drugs and/or alcohol in the workplace; or

    • conduct by the Employee that brings in SGI's reasonable opinion, SGI into disrepute.

    15.6.   Upon termination of the Contract (or at any time upon request by SGI), the Employee must immediately:

    • return to SGI all documents and records in the Employee's control (whether printed, digital, electronic or computer materials);

    • delete any documents and/or records held electronically in any medium in the Employee's control (which deletion may be supervised and/or confirmed by SGI in such a manner as SGI deems fit);

    • return to SGI all property belonging to or leased by SGI in the Employee's control, including any stationery, cheque books, books, documents, records, discs, access cards, keys, mobile phones, computer hardware and software, credit cards, motor vehicles, computer log-in codes, stock, samples, safety and/or branded clothing belonging to SGI and any other property of SGI or which bears SGI's business or trade name, trade marks or registered names or if which SGI owns or is entitled to copyright or which contains any of the Confidential Information; and

    • provide SGI with a statutory declaration regarding the Employee's compliance with this clause.

    15.7.   If upon return of SGI's property pursuant to clause 15.6 SGI considers in its reasonable opinion that the Employee has caused damage to such property, the Employer shall be entitled to deduct an amount in respect of such damage from any payments SGI is required to make to the Employee upon termination.

    15.8.   SGI may deduct from any amounts payable to the Employee upon termination any amounts owed by the Employee to SGI at the date of termination.

    15.9.   The Employee has no entitlements to any payments in the event of termination for any reason other than those expressly provided for in this Contract or required to be made pursuant to the Act.

    15.10.   Upon termination of the Employee's employment for any reason whatsoever, or at any time during the Employee's employment at SGI's request, the Employee will resign their directorship(s) (if any) of SGI within 7 days of such termination or request. If the Employee fails to resign their directorship(s) in accordance with this clause, the Employee irrevocably appoints SGI and any director of SGI jointly and severally to be the Employee's attorney, to sign any document or do anything else in the Employee's name to give effect to this clause.


  1. Suspension

    If:

    1. a complaint is made by any person with respect to the Employee; or

    2. SGI reasonably believes that the Employee may be in breach of their obligations under this Contract or of any law; or

    3. the Employee is subject to an investigation by a third party which may affect SGI's reputation or its business; then

      SGI may at its discretion suspend the Employee with or without pay in order to investigate the complaint or belief or until the third party investigation with respect to the Employee is complete.

  2. Miscellaneous

    17.1.   This Contract may only be amended in writing signed by the parties.

    17.2.   Any written amendment to the Contract will prevail over any provisions in the Contract that are inconsistent with the amendment.

    17.3.   This Contract shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of South Australia.

    17.4.   The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the South Australian courts and tribunals in regards to any claim or matter arising under or out of this Contract.

    17.5.   Termination of this Contract will not prejudice any rights or remedies which either party had prior to the termination.

    17.6.   The operation of clauses 12, 13 and 14 will survive in full effect the termination of this Contract.

    17.7.   This Contract contains the entire agreement between the parties regarding the Employee's employment. This Contract supersedes any prior agreement or understanding (if any) between the parties and there is no collateral or other form of agreement between the parties in relation to the subject matter of this Contract.

    17.8.   The failure by SGI to insist upon strict performance by the Employee of any of the terms of this Contract will not be deemed a waiver of any term or of a breach by the Employee of any term of this Contract.

    17.9.   A waiver of any term of this Contract by SGI must be in writing executed by a director of SGI or one of their other duly authorised officers or lawyers.

    17.10.   Every provision of this Contract will be deemed severable as far as possible from the other provisions of this Contract. If any provision is found to be void, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, it will be deemed to be severed and omitted from this Contract. This Contract with the offending provision severed and omitted and with any consequential amendment if necessary, will otherwise remain in full force.

    17.11.   This Contract may be executed in any number of counterparts and such execution will be as effective and binding on the parties as if each party had signed each such copy. Satisfactory evidence of execution of this Contract will include evidence by facsimile of execution by the relevant party.


Executed as a Contract on 28th day of March 20 13

Signed for and on behalf of

Seed Genetics International

/s/ Mark James Harvey Mark James Harvey

In the presence of

[Name of Witness]

/s/ Michael Zaina Michael Zaina

Signed by

Dennis Jury

/s/ D. Jury

In the presence of

[Name of Witness]

/s/ Michael Zaina Michael Zaina


Schedule 1

1.

Position Title

General Manager

2.

Commencement Date

1 September 2003

3.

Location

Adelaide

4.

Initial Remuneration Package

 
 

- Total Remuneration

$198,380

 

- Base Salary

$170,000

 

- Company Vehicle (Vehicle Allowance)

$12,000

 

- Superannuation9% payable quarterly into Employee nominated fund

$16,380

 

- Bonus Scheme (as advised by SGI from time to time)

 
 

- Salary Sacrifice Arrangements

None

 

-

 
 

- Other FBT concessional items, e.g. Laptop Computer

Use of company mobile phone.

EXHIBIT 99.1

S&W Seed Company Closes Acquisition of
Seed Genetics International

Acquisition creates the largest non-dormant alfalfa seed
company in the world

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Robert Blum, Joe Dorame, Joe Diaz
Lytham Partners, LLC
602-889-9700
sanw@lythampartners.com
www.lythampartners.com

Matt Szot
Chief Financial Officer
S&W Seed Company
559-884-2535
www.swseedco.com

FIVE POINTS, California - April 2, 2013 - S&W Seed Company (Nasdaq: SANW) today announced that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of Seed Genetics International Pty Ltd ("SGI"), a breeder, producer and marketer of proprietary, non-dormant alfalfa seed varieties based in Adelaide, South Australia.

Highlights of the acquisition include:

  • Creates the largest non-dormant alfalfa seed company in the world with geographically diversified and year round production in the San Joaquin Valley of California, the Imperial Valley of California and Southern Australia;
  • SGI controls approximately 60% of Australia's production of alfalfa seed through approximately 17,000 acres of irrigated farmland and 12,000 acres of non-irrigated farmland;
  • Ongoing Australian harvest of approximately 8 million pounds of SGI's proprietary non-dormant alfalfa seed varieties will be available for sale immediately by S&W and will nearly double S&W's seed available for sale in calendar 2013;
  • Synergistic sales channels that expand and further diversify S&W's reach and strength into several markets, including the Middle East and Africa, South America, and Southern Europe;
  • Strong breeding program and unique genetics with proprietary varieties bred to resist disease, have tolerance to salt, create persistence in the field, and produce higher yields of both alfalfa hay forage and alfalfa seed production;
  • Experienced management team with decades of alfalfa seed experience deepens S&W's executive management team.

Seed Genetics International is the largest producer of non-dormant alfalfa seed in Australia, controlling approximately 60% of the country's production through 17,000 acres of irrigated alfalfa seed production under contract, and access to another 12,000 acres of non-irrigated dry land. SGI has a very strong breeding program, having developed many of the world's leading varieties, including SuperSonic, SuperNova, SuperStar, SuperCharge, SuperAurora, SuperCuf, SuperSequal and SuperSiriver. SGI's alfalfa seed varieties are bred to resist disease, have tolerance to salt, create persistence in the field, and produce higher yields of both the alfalfa hay forage and alfalfa seed production. Additionally, SGI has a breeding and production platform of proprietary clover varieties. SGI also has a number of developments within its breeding program pertaining to dormant alfalfa varieties, tropical alfalfa seed varieties, and self pollinating traits.

SGI currently contracts for its alfalfa seed production with approximately 140 farmers in South Australia. These farmers enjoy the benefits of the highest producing alfalfa seed yields in Australia, and are engaged in rolling multi-year production contracts. Due to its Southern Hemisphere location, SGI harvests seed in March through April, which is counter cyclical to S&W's July through October production in the Northern Hemisphere. The combined company will have the competitive advantages of year round production, which extends to all areas of the alfalfa seed business, including sales, inventory management and cash collection cycles.

SGI is currently estimating that it will have approximately 8 million pounds of alfalfa seed available for sale until next year's harvest. SGI serves primarily international markets, including the Middle East and Africa (MENA), South America, and Southern Europe with the majority of the company's sales concentrated in the April through September time frame.

The purchase price of approximately USD $16.7 million, consists of 864,865 shares of S&W Common Stock valued at $8.7 million, $5 million in cash and $3 million in the form of a three-year promissory note. S&W believes that the acquisition will be immediately accretive to the company's earnings

SGI's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 include approximately AUD $18 million in revenue and AUD $1.6 million in pre-tax income. SGI's assets consist primarily of accounts receivable, inventory, a tenured grower base and intellectual property, such as genetics. S&W intends to file audited financial results of SGI and combined pro formas in no later than 74 days, in compliance with SEC guidelines.


Mark Grewal, president and chief executive officer of S&W Seed Company, commented, "The merging of S&W and SGI creates the largest non-dormant, alfalfa seed company in the world. With production in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valley's of California and now Australia, the company is better able to meet the needs of its customers around the globe through a more diversified and year round seed production schedule, as well as the integrating of two world class breeding and sales organizations. The sales channels that S&W and SGI sell into are highly complementary, with very little overlap in customers."

Mark Harvey, Director of Seed Genetics International, commented, "The directors and management of SGI are excited about the many advantages that a combined S&W and SGI will create. We look forward to working with Mark Grewal and his team to build a truly integrated, worldwide breeding, production, processing and marketing alfalfa seed company." 

Dennis Jury, Managing Director of Seed Genetics International, added, "For our contracted growers, we will be expanding production, while gaining access to an elite portfolio of S&W varieties and genetics not presently available to SGI.  For our customers, we see the opportunity to offer them a wide portfolio of alfalfa seed varieties that will best meet their soil and climate conditions through an integrated breeding program that will bring the best of what both companies offer."

About S&W Seed Company

Founded in 1980 and headquartered in the Central Valley of California, S&W Seed Company is a leading producer of warm climate, high yield alfalfa seed varieties, including varieties that can thrive in poor, saline soils, as verified over decades of university-sponsored trials. S&W also offers seed cleaning and processing at its 40-acre facility in Five Points, California. Additionally, the company has recently launched a business expansion initiative centered on its plan to mass produce stevia leaf in the U.S. in response to growing global demand for the all-natural, zero calorie sweetener from the food and beverage industry. For more information, please visit www.swseedco.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks identified in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, and in other filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EXHIBIT 99.2

SGI Managers Join S&W Seed in Key
Leadership Roles

 

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Robert Blum, Joe Dorame, Joe Diaz
Lytham Partners, LLC
602-889-9700
sanw@lythampartners.com
www.lythampartners.com

Matt Szot
Chief Financial Officer
S&W Seed Company
559-884-2535
www.swseedco.com

FIVE POINTS, California - April 5, 2013 - S&W Seed Company (Nasdaq: SANW) today announced that it has strengthened its management team and Board of Directors by the addition of two alfalfa seed industry veterans. Dennis Jury, previously managing director of Seed Genetics International ("SGI") has been appointed Executive Vice President of Operations of S&W Seed Company. Mr. Jury will continue in his role of Chief Executive and General Manager of SGI. Mark Harvey, previously director of Seed Genetics International has been elected as a Director and Vice Chairman of the Board of S&W Seed Company. Both appointments follow the acquisition of Seed Genetics International by S&W Seed Company in a transaction that closed on April 1, 2013. The acquisition creates the largest non-dormant alfalfa seed company in the world.

Mark Grewal, president and chief executive officer of S&W Seed Company commented, "A key motivator for making the SGI acquisition is the highly talented and experienced seed industry team that is joining S&W. As we integrate the global operations of our two companies, Dennis and Mark's leadership will serve S&W well. Additionally, as we expand our reach in production and sales, their worldwide relationships and years of experience will be huge assets."

Mr. Jury's responsibilities will include the operational integration of the two companies, which now boast having geographically diversified, year-round alfalfa seed production in the United States and Australia, as well as a 22 country sales channel that covers six continents. Mr. Jury is a veteran of the agricultural industry, having worked for ICI Crop Care, Schering Ag, and South Australian Seedgrowers Cooperative (later 'Seedco,' then subsequently known as 'SeedMark') in various roles including territory sales, territory manager and product and market development manager, before joining Seed Genetics International in August 2003 as Business Manager. He was appointed Managing Director of Seed Genetics International in July 2009. Mr. Jury studied Agricultural Science at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute in Urbrae, South Australia with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, and received his MBA from the Adelaide Graduate School of Management.


Effective April 1, 2013, Mr. Harvey became Vice Chairman of Board of Directors of S&W Seed Company. Mark Harvey has more than 35 years of experience in production processing and marketing of seed to many parts of the world, particularly branded alfalfa and clover. Mr. Harvey managed a 10,000 acre family farm producing seed, wheat and pulse crops, along with wool and beef, from 1976 until 1996 when the company he founded, Paramount Seeds, was sold to Elders Ltd. While with Elders, Mr. Harvey was manager of their national and international seed business from 1996 until 2001. In 1992, he was a founding partner of Seed Genetics International where he focused primarily on marketing and distribution. Mr. Harvey was educated at Cunderdin Agricultural College in West Australia.

Grover Wickersham, Chairman of S&W Seed Company, said "Mark Harvey is known in the industry as a master strategist and innovative thinker. I am excited that he believes in our combination enough that he chose to take a large shareholding in S&W. I expect great things from Mark in his leadership role as S&W Vice Chairman."

About S&W Seed Company

Founded in 1980, S&W Seed Company is a global agricultural company, headquartered in the Central Valley of California. The company is the largest producer of non-dormant alfalfa seed varieties in the world, with production operations in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valley's of California, as well as in South Australia. The company has worldwide sales and distribution through both a direct sales force as well as dealer-distributors. The company's proprietary varieties are designed to meet the shifting needs of farmers that require high performance in poor and highly saline soil conditions and have been verified over decades of university-sponsored trials. Additionally, the company is utilizing its research and breeding expertise to develop and produce U.S.-based stevia leaf. Stevia is an all-natural, zero calorie sweetener from the food and beverage industry. For more information, please visit www.swseedco.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks identified in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, and in other filings subsequently made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.