Lifestyle

Taco Pasta Casserole

• 12 ounces elbow macaroni • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef • 1 (1-ounce) package taco seasoning • 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chil ies, undrained • 4 ounces Velveeta cheese • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed • 1 (15-ounce) can corn kernels, drained • 1 (15-ounce) Alfredo sauce • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

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Tips for planting small grains

Local farmers had excellent wheat yields this year and with higher wheat prices, wheat can be a profitable enterprise. The war with Russia and Ukraine continues to keep wheat prices higher than normal. For crop rotation purposes, adding wheat may reduce weed populations and some diseases. If wheat is planted and harvested in a timely manner, it is possible to double crop soybeans or grow a cover crop. Farmers also have the option of baling straw as another enterprise. Wheat and other small grain crops like barley, cereal rye, oats all have some possibilities for expanding the crop rotation and giving an alternative crop to harvest.

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Soybean murder mystery

Solving murder mysteries is a popular game but when it affects your crops, it is serious business! Soybean yields have been stagnating for years. Some farmers get great yields (70-90 bushel/ acre), but many farmers average 50-65 bushel/ acre.

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Butterscotch Pie

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar • 4 tablespoons cornstarch • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 2 cups milk • 2 egg yolks, beaten • 1 tablespoon butter • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 (9-inch) pie crust, baked In top of double boiler, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, salt and milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture starts to thicken, about 20 minutes.

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To bee or not to bee

Being allergic to honeybee stings has made me very respectful of bees of all kinds, as well as wasps. I do not have the reaction to wasp stings that I do those of honeybees, but one thing is the same of both – they hurt.

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New tires boost crop yields

New tire technology has the ability to boost crop yields by 7%. Several recent articles in No-till Farmer outlined the benefits and few disadvantages of new tire technology. Most older farm equipment use standard bias tires inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) but now standard radical tires (20 psi), increased flexion tires (16 psi), and very high flexion tires (VF, 12 psi) allow tires to flex which decreases soil compaction and improves yield while saving farmers money on labor and fuel.

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