Where do we get the raw materials we use to make things ? Two industries provide the basic materials to make everything from the space shuttle to your pencil . Do you know what two industries are helping provide the clothes on your back , the car you ride in , and the computer you use ?
Agriculture and mining are the two industries that provide the raw materials for all these things . Many people think of agriculture as providing the food we eat . Some realize that cotton and wool from agriculture provide us with clothing , carpet and other fiber needs . But agriculture is more than meat and fiber . You cannot go through a day without using something produced by agriculture . Many of these products come from animals . Remember : cattle and other livestock are renewable resources .
Raw materials include parts of animals we don ’ t use for meat or clothing . These raw materials are also called co-products . Raw materials from livestock help us make other products . We use 97 percent of the animal . Here are some raw materials we get from livestock :
Collagen is a protein . It helps animals maintain their structure . Most mammals are made up of 20-25 % of
this protein . It is found in skin , bones , hides , and some connective tissue . It is the most abundant protein in animals . Gelatin is a part of collagen and is formed when the collagen protein is broken into parts .
Fatty acids and glycerin are a part of fat . Most fat molecules are made up of three fatty acids . They are attached to a molecule of glycerol . Fat is purified and the water and connective tissue are removed . This process is called hydrolysis . Individual “ fatty acids ” and glycerin remain .
Tallow is the term for fat that comes from cattle . The fat that comes from hogs is often called lard .
Hide / Leather : Leather is an animal hide made soft and flexible by a process called tanning .
Glands produce hormones . Mammals have glands located throughout their bodies . Hormones produced by glands can be used to make medicines and other products .
Agriculture is responsible for 25 % of the jobs in this country . Most of the jobs are not related directly to the growing the agricultural products . They are with the processing , delivery , selling , and manufacturing of products made from the raw materials provided by agriculture .
Cattle co-products found in your home
Collagen Bandaages Book Bindings Glue Sandpaper Sheet Rock Wallpaper Plywood Adhesive Face Creams Film
Fatty Acids Crayons Candles Plastics
• Football Helmets
• Water & Snow Skis
• Hockey Stick & Puck
• Fishing Line
Linoleum Brake Fluid Antifreeze Car Lubricants Car Wax Detergent / Soap Insecticides Tires Plastic Lawn Chairs Packaging for Food
Tallow Soap Bird Feed ( suet ) Baked Goods
• Breads
• Rolls
• Crackers
• Cookies
Glands Cortisol Insulin Heparin Natural Dietary Supplements
Hide / Leather Gloves Wallet / Purses Luggage Car Upholstery Shoes Pet Chews Footballs and baseballs