More than Meat

One of the challenges facing beef producers is informing and educating consumers about the many "more than meat” benefits of beef animals. This was the theme of our county beef entry in the 4-H Speaking Up for Animal Agriculture program at the Minnesota State Fair. In our interactive presentation exhibitors asked the people to name some things that come from beef cattle. Most answered with manure. We followed up with “Yes, manure comes from cattle but do you anything else that comes from cattle?” Sometimes we got an answer and other times we got, “no, tell me more.” We would explain items such as glue, medicines, leather, gelatin, brushes, sports equipment and pet foods are just a few common byproducts. Some of the people were in shock that so many items come from cattle and that byproducts are even a thing. I asked someone what they thought happened with what is leftover when we harvest the meat from a beef animal, I generally got a look of intrigue and an “I don’t know.”