Ice crystals and snow whipped up by winter winds catch the sun near Russell, Man.

Mythbusting the folklore of winter forecasts

Can Manitoba’s fall really predict future winter weather? From early leaf drop to when the birds leave, there are plenty of old sayings, but how much fact is there behind the folklore?

Can Manitoba’s fall really predict future winter weather? From early leaf drop to when the birds leave, there are plenty of old sayings, but how much fact is there behind the folklore?



Red-winged blackbirds fly over a U.S. sunflower crop in 2017. Pic: Supercaliphotolistic/iStock/Getty Images

Bird repellent gets emergency approval for sunflowers

Manitoba sunflower growers can now apply Avian Control repellent to keep blackbirds away during their 2025 harvest season

A product called Avian Control has received emergency-use approval to become the first chemical bird repellent available to Manitoba sunflower growers, in time for use this harvest.


Ducks Unlimited Canada's Alex Griffiths stands in front of a field of winter wheat at the Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre in Carberry on Aug. 6, 2025.

Birds benefit from winter wheat

Winter wheat gives better bird nesting habitat, improving biodiversity, and may cost farmers less in seed than typically thought

Winter wheat gives better bird nesting habitat, improving biodiversity, and may cost farmers less in seed than typically thought.



White-tailed deer-buck Photo: twildlife/Getty Images

Bovine tuberculosis calls for healthy divide between wildlife and livestock

Elk are commonly considered the problem species for bovine tuberculosis history in Manitoba, but one wildlife expert warns against developing blinders on other host species that could spread infection to cattle herds

Elk are commonly considered the problem species for bovine tuberculosis history in Manitoba, but one wildlife expert warns against developing blinders on other host species, like white-tailed deer, that could spread infection to cattle herds.