Beef by-products

A cattle farmer makes a whole lot more then just the steak on your plate. One single beef animal can be responsible for over two dozen other products. (Please excuse the professional tone of this post, I cheated a bit. I used a school term paper.)

A by-product is defined as a secondary or incidental product in the process of manufacturing. Beef animals have many different uses that are available besides the purposes that farmers are focusing on; meat. One animal can provide more than two dozen uses after it has been slaughtered.  Many people believe we should utilise these animals’ by-products to help our society become more efficient in the manufacturing sector. Beef have been identified as the largest contributor for by-products in the meat animal industry,

                One beef animal can provide products for multiple industries, including the food, musical, photography, sports and health industries. There are over 40 known by-products using the secondary products from a beef animal[1].  Virtually every body part can be used in the production of something from the beef animal, whether it is the bones, fatty acids, horns & hooves, intestines, hide & hair, or their organs & blood. 64% of the animal is used for meat[2]; this leaves 36% or 360 pounds of a 1,000 animal for the production of by-products. Just about everything you do in the day includes the by-product of a beef animal.

Gelatine from bones

                Gelatine from the bones of a beef animal have several uses, both in-edible and edible.  The majority of these items are aiding the food industry while others contribute to the photography, beauty and health industries.

                The gelatine from the bones aid in the production of gelatine candy, including gummy bears, marshmallows, jell-o as well as the gel coatings for medication capsules. Other non-edible products made from gelatine includes photographic film, paper as well as hair gels. The gelatine is extracted from the bones of the cattle, through a process of curing, acid and alkali processes. These processes can take several weeks, and make a huge difference in the final products properties.  An at home version of these processes is to boil the bones from the animals, as the gelatine will dissolve in the water. After cooling the water, it should naturally form a jelly substance[3].  Manufacturing gelatine consists of three main stages; pre-treatment, extraction and refining and recovering. The pre-treatments are used to make the raw materials ready for step two. The final products chemical properties relay on these treatments, as they help remove impurities, which can alter the chemicals in the product. In the extraction process, hot water or a dilute solution of acid is used to extract the hydrolyze collagen into gelatine. The final step of refining and recovery treatments puts the product through several steps including evaporation, drying and grinding, which removes the water to obtain a blended, dried and ground gelatine product.   It can then be used in a variety of places.

                Gummy bears, marshmallows and jell-o have gelatine as an ingredient to help give them the “jelly” texture. Gelatine is also used to cover medication capsules, as it can dissolve in the stomach due to its acidic nature, but preserve the medication while in storage. It is also known to be an agent aiding in the wrinkle free aspects of many paper products, including crepe paper and playing cards[4].  Gelatine is used in photographic film to aid as a binding medium and protective agent for photographic records as it protects against the fading properties of light[5].

Hair gel with gelatine as a main ingredient is highly used in synchronized swimming, as it helps keep their hair in place as it does not dissolve in the cold water of the pool[6].  Gelatine is one of the many useful by-products from the beef animal.

Fatty-acids

                The fatty-acids from the fat of the beef animal also contribute to both edible and non-edible by-products. Adhesives, shaving cream, and tires  all contain by-products from a beef animal[7].  

                The sticky parts of bandages are made from the fatty-acid by-products of a bovine[8].  Certain fatty-acids are made from carbonates, which are well known to chemists as they represent an important class of organic compounds and many have interesting characteristics which make them useful for many industrial applications. The polar nature of the carbonate enables it become a strong adhesive agent[9].  

                Shaving creams use fatty-acids derived from beef animals as an emollient[10], which is a soothing agent for the skin. It is also used as an agent to keep the other ingredients intact in a formulation. 

                Tires have a stearic acid that allows the rubber to hold it shape under constant surface friction[11]. The asphalt on our roadway also has a binding agent from beef fats.

Horns & hooves

                Horns and hooves are the most commonly known by-product used from a beef animal. The uses of these products include imitation ivory, pet chews and piano keys.

                Depending on the coloring of the horn will determine the use. If they are white, it can be easily manufactured to look like authentic ivory, which is very rare material that is commonly used in jewellery making. Not much alteration is needed, just some basic buffing and shaping.

                Pet chews are not picky on the coloring of hooves. Basically, they are made by taking the horns and shaving pieces off. They are then shaped to the desired size, and then seasoned and covered in a collagen protein binder for the final touches.

                Piano keys were traditionally made from ivory.  However, since ivory is becoming increasingly hard to get a hold of, manufacturers have turned to using horns of other animals to make these musical pieces.  Just like imitation ivory, piano keys are simple to make from horns, simply buff and shape to the desired shape and size. 

Intestines

                Using a beef animal’s intestine to create other products may seem unethical or disturbing to some people. However, I would bet that most people do not realize the products they make are for sports equipment and musical instruments.

                Tennis racquets have multiple different types of string to choose from, including polyester, Kevlar, Zyex, solid-core synthetic gut, multifilament core synthetic gut and natural gut[12], among other choices.  Natural gut is said to be one of the best types of strings you could put on your racquet. It gives power and control, with a shock-free feeling. It is fairly expensive, reducing its popularity in the modern age.  Intestines are not the only body part that contributes to the making of sports equipment.

                Animal intestines have been used in musical instrument strings for hundreds of years, typically from sheep, but also from beef animals.  These types of strings are known to define the tone of a violin[13].   It is important that the gut is allowed to cool after slaughter, if it is too hot, and the blood vessels break, it can lower the quality of the end product. They use the intestinal casings for production of the strings, and must have all the membranes removed.  It is then sent to the string maker who whitens the intestines so they are of a uniform color. It then goes through a dryer to allow it to harden, and then they shape and cut the strings in to their desired size.

Hide & Hair

                Many people are aware of the by-products used from the hide and hair of a beef animal. It includes leather goods, sports equipment, and paint brushes.

                Leather is made from the hide of the animal. The hide is then treated with tanning chemicals that react with the collagen in the skin. Collagen is a fibrous protein that makes up most of the skin and is insoluble in water[14].  The tanning chemicals allow the hide to become a durable material without disrupting the basic structure and natural beauty of the skin. Leather is used in a wide variety of materials, including shoes, car seats, belts, jackets and other things.

                Certain sports equipment manufacturers also use leather, such as baseball gloves, footballs, volleyballs among other things. One animal can make 20 footballs, 18 soccer or volleyballs, 12 basketballs or baseball gloves or 144 baseballs. The sports equipment industry uses over 100,000 cattle hides each year[15]. 

                Artists all over the world are using a piece of an animal every time they make a paintbrush stroke. The brush of a paintbrush is made from the hair of a beef animal. When shaving the animals hide for the use of leather, the hair is saved to be used for the paint industry. After collecting the hair, it is then put through a sanitation and bleaching process to make the hair a uniform color. After the processing is done, the hair can be assembled for use in the paintbrushes. Certain brushes are more bristle then others, due to the different species and breed of the animal used. Typically the hair of a pig is used for the firmer brushes then cattle hair would allow. 

Organs & blood

                The organs and blood of a beef animal after it has been slaughtered provide many uses in the health industry. Insulin, allergic reaction treatments, and haemophilia treatments are a few of the ways the organs and blood of a beef animal can help save human lives.

                The pancreas is used to extract insulin for diabetes patients. Modern technology has allowed for advances in this medical field, providing synthetic versions of insulin. However, in certain parts of the world, the pancreas of cattle is still used for these patients. A fresh pancreas is best for the extraction of the insulin, as there would be less proteolytic enzyme activity that kills the insulin[16].  The season of year, age, breed and sex of the animal all have impacts on the amounts and quality of the insulin received.  It is easily extracted through a serious of filtering the fluid from the pancreas.

                The adrenal glands and pituitary glands of a beef animal can be used to help treat allergic reactions and allergic diseases. The adrenal glands of any mammal produce hormones that are used in multiple daily body functions[17], including fatigue, stress, allergic reactions and other conditions.  It is thought that by taking a dosage of these hormones extracted from an animal will help supplement what the patient’s body is not producing for them.              

                36% of a beef animal contributes to other industries rather then meat, such as sports equipment, health and cosmetics in addition to other industries. One animal can provide more than two dozen uses after it has been slaughtered.  Many people believe we should utilize these animals’ by-products to help our society become more efficient in the manufacturing sector. Beef have been identified as the largest contributor for by-products in the meat animal industry. There are over 40 known by-products using the secondary products from a beef animal.  Virtually every body part can be used in the production of something from the beef animal, whether it is the bones, fatty acids, horns & hooves, intestines, hide & hair, or their organs & blood. Utilizing everything we can from a meat animal allows each industry to lower production costs, as they do not have to manufacture these ingredients.Based on all of these by-products, I do not understand how vegans avoid everything manufactured from animals, I know I could never do it.

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[1] Dekalb. (2009). Beef by-product fact sheet. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from Dekalb Farm Bureau: http://dekalbfarmbureau.org/pdf/Beef%20By-Product%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

[2] University of Nebraska. (2010). Beef By Products. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from Ag 4 Kids.

[3] Wikipedia. (2012, March 10). Wikipedia. Retrieved Macrh 14, 2012, from Gelatine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelatin

[4] Thurn, J. (2003, 3 December). The Cochineal. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from history, Chemistry and Long-Term Effects of Alum-Rosin in Paper: https://paver,ischool.utexas.edu/html/2801/1396/j-thurn-03-alum.html

[5] Hendriks, K., Lesser, B., Stewart, J., & Nishimura, D. (2012). Properties and Stability of Gelatin Layers in Photographic Materials. Retrieved March 12, 2012 , from Albumen: http://albumen.onsercation-us.org/library/c20/henriks1/html

[6] iSport.com. (2012). How to gel your hair for Synchronized Swimming compeittion. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from iSport: http://syncrhoswim.isport.com/syncrhonized-swimming-guides/how0to-gel-your-hair-for-a-br-synchronized-swimming-competition

[7] USDA. (2008). Ag in the Classroom.

[8] University of Nebraska. (2010). Beef By Products. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from Ag 4 Kids.

[9] Wikipedia. (2010, November 30). Diacarboxylic acid. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicarboxylic_acid

[10] Copperwiki. (2011, November 7). Shaving cream. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from Copperwiki: http://www.copperwiki.org/index.php/Shaving_cream

[11] USDA. (2008). Ag in the Classroom.

[12] Matts Tennis. (n.d.). String Research. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Matts Tennis: http://www.mattstennis.com/html/__string_research.html

[13] Larson, D. (2010). Making Gut Strings. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Gamut Music Inc: http://gamutmusic.squarespace.com/making-gut-strings/

[14] Destrier. (2010). How Leather is Made. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Hub Pages: http://destrier.hubpages.com/hub/leather-supply

[15] Dekalb. (2009). Beef by-product fact sheet. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from Dekalb Farm Bureau: http://dekalbfarmbureau.org/pdf/Beef%20By-Product%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

[16] Fisher, A. M., & Scott, D. A. (1934). The insulin content of the pancreas in cattle of various ages.

[17] Web MD. (2012). Adrenal Extract. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Web MD: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientsmono-951-ADRENAL%20EXTRACT.aspx?activeIngredientId=941activeIngredientName=ADRENAL%20EXTRACT

Where Lakeland College can take you

 After my excitment of getting accepted to Lakeland College in the Animal Science Technology (AST) diploma, I had many people asking me, "Well what kind of career can you get with this education?" Many people were under the impression that this was a school to make a farmer, but it is much more than that. 

In order to truly tell you what you can do with a diploma in Animal Science, I have asked five of my thirty six classmates three questions; give me a bit of background and why you chose Lakeland, what is your favorite aspect of the AST program, and what are your future plans.

Brianna Baghsaw came from the very very small town of Birsay, SK. (Don't feel bad if you need to google map it to find out where it is, I did). She is a 5th generation mixed operation farmer, including grain and cattle. Brianna chose Lakeland because a friend from 4-H attended and absolutely loved her time there. She was able to convince Brianna to attend. The small class sizes made the decision final for Brianna, as it was an easy step from her small high school. Her favourite part of the AST program is all the hands on experience. "It's not all book work, you get to learn to do by doing, not just watching or reading about it!"

Brianna's summer will involve lots of fleece at the Elbow Multi Species project at Elbow,Sk. Her duties will include moving sheep and goats with her dog, Lacey, and horses during the grazing season. She will also be doing some fencing and kidding the goats. Brianna plans to stay involved in agriculture for the rest of her life. 

Brianna and Lacey

Brooke Lowes came from a large cow-calf operation of approximately 1700 head and 3000 acres at McAuley, MB.  She chose Lakeland because she wanted to do something with agriculture, and the university that she was attending did not offer an ag program. Brooke also liked that Lakeland also offers the hands on aspect in the Student Managed Farm, which isn't offered anywhere else.

"I enjoy how the teachers that teach you aren't just people who don't care to get to know your name or treat you as a number. They all have left industry jobs to come and teach the younger generations. They all have great passion for what they have done in industry which allows you as students to also develop passion as well as great industry contacts."

This summer Brooke will be returning home to the farm, where she will be calving the cows, artificially inseminating approximately 400 heifers and helping with their custom silage operation. In September, Brooke will be returning to school at either University of Manitoba or University of Saskatchewan to work towards her Bachelors in Animal Science.

Brooke roping calves at home.

Riley Isaacson came from a mixed farming operation near Viscount, SK. He chose Lakeland because of recommendations from friends who have attended. His favorite aspect was the environment created by people that go to school here and the fun that happens in addition to all the learning. This summer Riley will be working at a community pasture along the Montana border in Saskatchewan. His duties will include working on a 108 section, or 432 quarters, pasture with 5 horses. Riley will ride to rotate cows and rope sick cattle to treat them, as well as check fences. This position is part of the PFRA program.

Riley analyzing  pasture land.

Carolynne Vallee grew up in small oil town Bonnyville, AB. Her love for horses, animals and the outdoors contributes immensely to who she is and what she does. Carolynne chose Lakeland College because it was a school where she has the opportunity to work hands on with livestock and meet people from the agriculture industry.

Her favorite aspect of the Lakeland College AST program is how much hands on experience there is to gain and how tight-knit all the ag students are. Carolynne added that moving away from home for the first time is pretty intimidating. However, being a student in the AST program is like being part of a family. She also enjoys the small class sizes and the close student-teacher relationships.

This summer Carolynne will be working at the Lakeland Agricultural Research Association in Bonnyville. Aside from working, she will also be coaching the advanced drill team in her home town. In the fall Carolynne will be transferring to University of Alberta to finish her degree in Animal Science as well as complete her pre-requisites for vet school. Her long term plan is to get accepted to veterinary medicine where she plans on specializing in large animal practices and focus on equine medicine. Carolynne's dream is to own a practice in a rural area and make a career out of working with large animals.

Carolynne with her two favorite animals.

James Harbers traveled all the way from Iroquois, ON to attend Lakeland College. The reasoning behind this was to gain as much hands on experience he could in the agriculture industry. James grew up on his family's dairy farm, and became the President for the Lakeland College Dairy Club this past year. James found himself a part time job while in Vermilion, working for a grain farmer. James stayed in town this last summer to work at this farm, and he will be staying until Christmas this year to help out before returning to Ontario. 

James testing some college feed with fellow students. 

As you can see, the AST program at  Lakeland College can take you many places, including further education opportunities, working in government research stations or even just going back to the family farm. Lakeland College provides its graduates with great hands on experience that lets them live the learning, as well as providing excellent industry professionals to help the learning process. 

COOL Final Descision

Some of you may remember my previous blog post about the COOL [Country of Origin Labeling]. In that post i referred to a final decision being made in the fall, well they finally made the decision.

The WTO [World Trade Organization] has ruled the United States' laws requiring mandatory country-of-origin labels on beef, pork and produce violate its commitments to global trade rules.

Canadian producers have been worried that the system of requiring all meat and perishable items be labeled form the country they originated from would become a trade stopper. Both Canada and Mexico have long contended that COOL violates international trade laws, restricts market access and is a technical trade barrier. Canada in late 2008 formally challenged COOL at the WTO.


The Canadian Cattlemen's Association noted in a release that Washington, in theory, could also just ignore the DSB panel's decision. Doing so, however, could eventually put Canada in a position to apply "retaliatory options," such as new or higher tariffs on imports from the U.S.

"This decision recognizes the integrated nature of the North American supply chain in this vitally important industry," Canada's International Trade Minister Ed Fast noted. "Removing onerous labeling measures and unfair, unnecessary costs will improve competitiveness, boost growth and help strengthen the prosperity of Canadian and American producers alike." 


This legislation is being a labelled a win for Canadian producers.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Well, its that time of the year again! The smell of hairspray and the sound of clippers is in the air! Its show time!

4-H members from across the province have been working hard for the eight months feeding, halter breaking and grooming their market steer and breeding projects. I am sure you have heard the numerous ads on CFCW and other radio stations across the province advertising the local beef show and sales to display the members hard work.

Showing cattle; one of my  favorite past times.

It just occured to me, I have been assuming that you all know what 4-H is, my apologies. 4-H was traditionally an agricultural based youth program, but has know grown to include a variety of different projects. The organization is committed to helping the members become valuable and contributing members of society.

Youth from the age of 9 can join the program, and have a project of their choosing. There are over 30 projects, including beef, horses, crafts, cooking, outdoors and everything in between. Depending on the project, the members develop a plan to complete their goals.

Within their 4-H club, they are the leaders. The clubs executive positions are held by the members and they run the show. The youth decide everything that should be done within the club, with advisory from the adult Leaders.

Alberta 4-H offers many programs to expand the youth's skills even further, from the Leadership Through Counseling Seminar, to Club Week, to People Developing People. All of these programs are developed in the hopes of the attendees to extend their leadership, teamwork and communications skills. There are also programs designed simply for the members to have fun, including summer camps and forums.

LTCS develops some of the coolest camp counsellors!

There are a few additional requirements for the members to complete their 4-H year. They must complete a record book for their project including everything they did through out the year. They also must complete a communications activity, which can range from competing in a competition, to reading a story in front of their club. As well, they must contribute to an activity where the community has benefited.

Communications may be scary, but the trophies are big!

For all projects, the final step is participating in their clubs achievement day. This is a day where the public is invited and the members display their hard work from the previous year. For the beef project, this also includes selling their market show steer.

This creates a tremendous opportunity for the community to become involved in something great. You are helping youth, the future leaders of your communities, to become aware of the value of money, as well as many other life lessons. And the best part? You can purchase some of the greatest beef you have ever tasted!

Check out the Alberta 4-H Website for information on shows and sales in your area, or you province/state 4-H website.

Alberta 4-H'ers always have a smile on!