A Cow, A Hog, and A Sheep have WHAT in Common?
As I mentioned in my post about the importance of Agriculture in our everyday lives, Ag touches our lives in ways most people have never imagined. When it comes to cattle, hogs, and sheep, almost the entire body of the animal is used in one way or another to benefit humans. For example, from the body of a typical 1,000 steer, approximately 400 pounds is beef. The remainder is “by-products”. By-products are anything derived as a secondary item in processing. Though less visible, by-products from these animals play a vital role in maintaining and improving the quality of human life. The following is a list of just a few ways an animal provides for us; besides the yummy steak, bacon, and lamb chops.
(Some of these items can be listed under each animal).
BEEF
- Gel coatings for vitamin and medication capsules
- floor wax
- imitation ivory
- crayons
- plastics
- paper glue
- leather goods
- insulin for some diabetics
- sports equipment
- perfumes
- cake mix
- glass
HOG
- Bone China
- violin strings
- stearin for making chewing gum and candies
- antifreeze
- linoleum
- gelatin (as in marshmallows and gummy bears)
- photographic film
- hair for artist brushes
- rennet for cheese making
- hearts for xenotransplantation
- industrial lubricants
- drumheads
Sheep
- surgical sutures
- clothing
- yarn
- rug pads
- ointment base
- tennis balls
- upholstery
- explosives
- chewing gum
- lanolin
- asphalt binder
- sausage casings
Like I said, this is only a small list of items that are made with an animal by-product. I never really go into what part of the animal is used to make what, mostly because I really don’t care. All I care about is that the product that makes my life easier is made possible because of an animal. Stop and imagine the world today without glue. Glue is used everywhere. Our desks, our shoes, our books, and even the labels at the grocery store that tells us what we want to know about that product we are buying. The place that animal by-products are used most importantly, in my opinion, is in the medical world. Skin graphs, heart transplants, adrenal glands -epinephrine to treat allergic shock, blood factors can be used for treatment of hemophilia, porcine burn dressings, insulin and other ingredients for other medicines, are just a few of the ways an animal helps to make our medical world better, more efficient, and life saving.
We depend on these animals for more than their nutritional meat. We depend on their supply of resources to provide us with some of the most essential items in our day-to-day lives. For that, I am grateful. I am also very thankful for all the amazing scientists that discovered these things!!!
I would love to hear from you. How has Agriculture touched your life today? Leave me a comment.
Until next time, I’ll be here Livin’ the Life, the Farm Life that is.
32 Comments
Tricia Snow
I did not know that lanolin came from sheep! Very informative post!
admin
Thank you. I was shocked about many things when I learned this. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Angela Greven
Great post! Absolutely there are so many things that are created from animals, and not just the steaks or ribs most of us love. It’s a good reminder to be thankful for the animal that gave it’s life so we can eat and have the comforts that we all do. As a longtime chef, I’ve always had respect for my ingredients and try my hardest to do them justice. Thank you! 🙂
admin
Thank you. And it is important to remember that these animals would not have a life if it wasn’t for giving for us. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
And you have some amazing recipes!! Love them.
Junell DuBois
I never realized that it was used in so much!
admin
And I didn’t even list everything! Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
jen
What a COOL post! As agriculture is being replaced with tech, I think it’s REALLY important this information gets out there… and we protect our farmers. 🙂
admin
Thank you. It is really important. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Melanie Walsh
Wow, the list is really extensive! I never would have assumed their were animal by-products in every field from food to medical items.
admin
Its pretty amazing. And there are lots more products out there! Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Meagan
I love learning about stuff like this!
admin
Good deal! Glad I could share. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Michele Vadnais
Mad respect for farmers, but I don’t think I could handle that life!
admin
Thanks. It is a tough life but I have come to appreciate it. But to be honest, some days I do wonder why we do what we do. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Kathryn at QuestFor47
Great post! I never thought about all the other not-meat byproducts that come from all these animals. Thanks for sharing!
admin
Its shocking and amazing! Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Kim
We have been really trying to change the way we buy meat. We are trying to be more conscious of where our food comes from and it really makes us appreciate the animals more.
admin
Its always a good thing to know where your food comes from. It’s also good to know that the U.S. does have some of the safest and inexpensive food out there. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Mary Blair
Thanks for the great info!
admin
You are very welcome Mary Blair! 🙂
Nicki
Farmers and farming is so important! Thank you for sharing!
admin
Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Jennifer Morrison
This is such great information! I know that a lot of people think animal byproducts are gross. I personally love eating meat and so I am glad that almost all parts of the animal are used in some way. I think it is a much more responsible way to ensure that using them is not just in vain as a luxury, but responsible.
admin
Thank you. I agree. I was always told the Indians used all of the animals and I praised them for it. I was glad to learn we do too. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Brittany
It is so important to realize how animals and agriculture affect our everyday lives! Thanks for sharing.
admin
Its pretty crazy the many ways but I am very thankful for many of the products. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
T.M. Brown
I need to process this piece a little more as I am having a mixed reaction to it. While I am all for medical breakthroughs and am by no means against eating red meat, there was just something about this post that broke my heart. Going to ponder a little more…
admin
I sure didn’t mean to break your heart. When I found out about the ways by-products have improved our lives and saved lives, I was first shocked, but then thankful. Many products that we depend on everyday is possible because of ag by-products. Don’t think about it to hard, just be thankful. Thanks for stopping in and reading. I really appreciate it.
Katie
Wow, I feel a both impressed and repulsed by some of that list! I hope most vegans realize there may be animal byproducts in their chewing gum! At the same time, I’m also grateful that they are utilizing the whole animal instead of creating waste or using “just the good parts.” Thanks for a very enlightening post!
admin
I don’t want to repulse anyone. By products have been used for many many years. The Indians were praised for being resourceful and utilizing the entire animal. I’m glad that we also are resourceful. Truthfully, it may be pretty tough to be complete vegan. Glue and gelatin are used everywhere. And I am thankful for it. Thanks for stopping in and readying.
Laura
Oh my goodness! There’s a lot a great learning in this article! I might have to pin this and read it several more times! Great post!
Dennis
Wow! What an eye-opening post! It’s amazing where things come from!