b'C E L E B R A T I N G A L E G E N D :Dieter K. MulitzeMulitze was the founder of Agronomix Software, visionary breeder, mentor and a remarkable human being.By Enid Perez-Lara, Agronomix Software Industry Engagement ManagerWHEN I FIRST MET DIETER,I didnt realizeand faith, including Pills for the Soul? (2008), the legend he was. Born in post-war Germany,The Great Reduction (2005) and The Great he emigrated to Canada as an infant and grew up aSubstitution (2003). He traveled the world training humble farm boy in Ontario. After studying math- breeders, often adjusting his schedule to meet ematics and computer science at the University oftheir needs, and became a million-miler in the Waterloo, he earned a bachelors degree in cropprocess.science from the University of Guelph and laterKnown for his sharp wit and thoughtful a Ph.D. in quantitative genetics (1983) from thehumor, Dieter left a cultural imprint on our team.WinnipegUniversity of Saskatchewan. Even in retirement, he acted with integrityEven before finishing his Ph.D., Dieter devel- choosing the right people to carry Agronomix oped his first plant breeding softwarethe Cropforward rather than selling to the highest bidder. Database Management Systemon a DEC-2060His legacy is not only in innovation but in the mid-frame computer, long before the internet orvalues and future he secured for the company.personal computers existed. BrandonFollowing a postdoc at ICARDA in Syria, heFinal ThoughtsPortage la Prairiebecame assistant and then associate professorAs the person leading marketing at Agronomix, of cereal breeding at the University of Nebraskaone of my greatest hopes was to see Dieters story (19861990), making key contributions to quan- honored beyond our walls. For years, I dreamed titative genetics while using his own software toof featuring him on the cover of Seed Worldto manage breeding programsa visionary move forshine a light on his quiet yet profound contribu-the time. tions to plant breeding, and to do it while he was Beyond his professional achievements, Dieterstill here to witness it. That tribute has now been was a devoted family man and father. Eventually, hispublished, and its beautiful. I feel immense pride desire to return home to Canada grew, so he could because no one deserved this recognition more. be closer to his parents and raise his family there. But I also feel sadness. It came a little too late. I When I asked Dieter how he came up with thewish Dieter could have seen it, read the words and idea for a plant breeding software company, hefelt the appreciation of his peers, his team and the recalled writing custom code in the 1980slongglobal community of breeders whose work he before digital tools became common in plantchampioned for decades.breeding. His vision was ahead of its time. ThenI imagine he would have smiled, offered one fate intervened: on a nearly empty flight back toof his witty remarks, and quietly taken it in. Still, I Canada, he met a fellow Canadian who suggested,wish he were here to share this moment with us. Why dont you start your own company? I canThis issue of Seed World is more than a magazine. offer you space at my headquarters. That conver- Its a celebration of a true pioneer; a visionary who sation led to the founding of Agronomix Softwarebelieved breeders needed better tools long before in July 1990 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. the world understood why. A mentor, a scientist,Ellen often Dieters influence went beyond software. Hea man of deep values who built something lastingaccompanied Dieter on his many trips. authored books blending science, philosophyand meaningful for breeders everywhere.SW6/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2025'