Almost the entire beef animal can be used to benefit man in some way. From a typical 1,000 pound steer, 400 pounds is used for beef that we eat and the remaining 600 pounds are used as by-products.
Some common types of beef are pot roast, sirloin steak, ground beef, rib eye steak, and tenderloin steak. Beef is a good source of protein (which builds, maintains, and repairs body tissues), iron (which helps red blood cells carry oxygen to body cells and tissues), zinc (which is a mineral used for growth and maintaining the immune system), and B-vitamins (which promotes healthy skin, keeps the nervous system healthy, and are important for digestion and metabolism).
Beef by-products are anything made from a beef animal other than beef. You probably use more beef by-products than you think! One of the most important cattle by-products is insulin, a treatment for people with diabetes. Other by-product examples include:
Bone, Horn, Hooves, & Gelatin
Combs, gelatin candy (Gummy Bears), marshmallows, mayonnaise, gelatin, photographic film, steel ball bearings with bone charcoal, fine bone china, pet food, and vitamin capsules/gel coatings.
Hide & Hair
Insulation, paint brushes, glue for bookmaking and band aids, clothes, shoes, luggage, saddles, furniture, automobiles, volleyballs, basketballs, and baseball gloves.
Fats and Fatty Acids
Shampoo, soaps, shaving creams, cosmetics, deodorants, candles, crayons, floor wax, detergents, hydraulic break fluid, plastics, insecticides, paints, perfumes, and synthetic rubber.