Barrie Manikel’s journey in the seed sector has earned him the Manitoba Seed Growers’ Association (MSGA) Honorary Life Award, which he received last night at the CropConnect conference in Winnipeg.
Manikel’s career has been a remarkable story of resilience and impact within the pedigreed seed industry. Born and raised on a farm along the Red River, just south of St. Jean Baptiste, Man., his roots in agriculture run deep.
“Growing up on the farm instilled in me a respect for hard work and long-term planning—values that have guided me throughout my career,” he says. After graduating with an agriculture degree from the University of Manitoba in 1972, he took his first steps in crop protection before embarking on a nine-year farming partnership. It was during this period that Manikel became a pedigreed seed grower, producing durum wheat that found eager buyers in western North Dakota.
At the time, exporting seed was no easy task, especially under the watchful eye of the Canadian Wheat Board. “Growing pedigreed seed allowed us to bypass some of the restrictions, giving us the ability to market directly,” he says. “It was a lifeline, especially when operating loans were running at 22% interest. Cash flow was king, and pedigreed seed kept us afloat.”
Building a Vision for the Seed Sector
In January 2000, Manikel joined AgCall in a business development role and began carving a new path in the seed industry. “One of my first recommendations to Gord Butcher, AgCall’s owner, was that we should get involved in the seed sector. I saw its potential and knew it was where things were heading,” Barry said.
His foresight led him to attend meetings of the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA), the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA), and the MSGA. These interactions helped Manikel and AgCall forge strong relationships across the seed value chain, from startups to major players.
His advocacy for seed growers became a cornerstone of his career.
“I’ve always been in awe of seed growers,” he says. “Their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the seed and their long-term vision is unmatched. Seed growers dedicate their lives—40 years or more—to perfecting their craft.”
Leading Through Change
In 2014, when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) introduced Alternative Service Delivery for pedigreed seed crops, Manikel led AgCall’s successful application to become an Authorized Seed Crop Inspection Service (ASCIS). Not content with managing the process from afar, he became a licensed seed crop inspector himself, gaining firsthand knowledge of what his team experienced in the field.
“Understanding the nuances of pedigreed seed inspection was critical,” he says. “I wanted to ensure that our inspectors had the tools and support they needed to work with seed growers, conditioners, graders, CSGA, and CFIA to maintain the integrity of the blue tag.”
Manikel also played a pivotal role in bridging gaps across the seed value chain. By organizing in-field training sessions with seed developers, breeders, and seed specialists, he fostered a deeper understanding of how each player contributed to the broader mission of producing high-quality seed.
“These sessions not only provided valuable insights but also demonstrated the collaborative effort required to uphold the pedigreed seed system,” he adds.
A Personal and Professional Legacy
Manikel’s dedication to the seed industry is deeply intertwined with his personal life. In 2008, he married Joy, and the couple settled in Kleefeld, Man. Together, they share a family that includes his children, Alyssa, Ben, and Kayla, as well as his son Mark and Mark’s children, Lila and Owen.
Reflecting on his career, Manikel is grateful for the connections he’s made. “Working across the seed industry has been incredibly fulfilling,” he says. “From introducing new crops like lupin to helping companies market seed, every step has been a chance to learn and grow. But my strongest connection will always be to the seed growers—they are the backbone of everything we do.”
