Turkey Production Costs Are Up; Not Good News at Thanksgiving (1/2)

This Thursday is Thanksgiving, the most popular holiday for Americans to eat turkey. But people may have to pay a little more for their holiday bird this year. How much more will depend on competition between stores.

Production costs are up. Turkeys are fed mainly corn and soybean meal. Corn was an average of two dollars a bushel last year. This year it was three dollars, and prices topped four dollars at times. Not only that, soybean production is down from last year's record high.

Many farmers are growing corn to make fuel. The Department of Agriculture says one-fourth of the record corn crop expected this year could become ethanol. Also, higher oil prices mean higher transportation costs -- another reason for costlier corn.Rising food prices might be one thing on the minds of Thanksgiving Day meal planners this year. But some things never change.

A turkey can be a little tricky to cook. The breast meat cooks faster than the leg meat, so it can get dried out. Countless turkey suggestions are on the Internet. We found a recipe called "The World's Best Turkey." It calls for butter, two apples, a tablespoon of garlic" class="hjdict" word="garlic" target=_blank>garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.

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本周四是感恩节，对于美国人来说是吃火鸡最盛行的节日。但是今年人们过节可能要多花一些钱。多花多少取决于商店之间的竞争。

农产品的成本上涨了。火鸡的主要饲料是玉米和大豆。去年玉米的平均价格是每蒲式耳2美元。今年的价格是3美元，并且有时高达4美元。不仅如此，大豆作物的产量也比去年的最高纪录有所下降。

许多农民种植玉米以制作燃料。农业部说预计今年有记录的玉米产量的1/4可能制成乙醇。另外，更高的石油价格也就意味着更高的运输费用---玉米价格更高的另外一个原因。上涨的食品价格可能成为今年人们计划感恩节大餐要考虑的一件事情。但是有些事是从来不会变的。

火鸡的烹调是需要一定的技巧的。火鸡的胸脯肉比大腿肉好熟，因此这可能导致胸肉变干。互联网上有数不尽的（烹调火鸡方法）的建议。我们发现了一个叫"世界上最棒的火鸡"配方。这个配方需要黄油、2个苹果、一大汤匙大蒜粉、以及盐和胡椒来佐味。