5 minute read
The Bonus Beef
The Bonus Beef
The growing popularity of beef byproducts and how consumers are using them.
By Kelsey Ritchey
If trending on social media is your measuring stick, then beef tallow is having a moment.
Social media influencers, health-conscious communities and people seeking all-natural products for everything from cooking to skincare have elevated beef tallow. So much so that articles in Vogue, Allure, The New York Times and NPR have honed in on beef tallow to better understand this product and why everyone uses it.
The truth is beef tallow is nothing new. In ancient Greece and Rome, tallow was used to clean grease from wool and cloth. Before that, it was an essential ingredient in many soaps and candles. Tallow eventually became a general cooking oil and made its way into other products for other uses, including being burned in oil lanterns and torches or as a lubricant for machinery parts. In recent years, tallow and other beef byproducts have experienced a resurgence — resulting in a niche group of consumers seeking unique, natural solutions and goods for everyday use.
“I think there is an uptick of interest for beef byproducts,” said Ashley Recknor with Purple Ribbon Beef. “Some of this can be attributed to the growing interest in homesteading and getting back to the basics. There has been a shift of getting products directly from the farmer, making them easier to obtain and consume.”
Purple Ribbon Beef knows about meeting evolving consumer demands. What started as a typical fifthgeneration cattle farm eventually grew into a multi-faceted organization with customers across the U.S. Located in north-central Iowa, Recknor and her family at Purple Ribbon Beef bring high-quality beef to dinner tables across the country including ribs, ground beef, burgers, roast, stew meat, brisket, beef sticks, bones and more. In 2016, they expanded their corn-fed Black Angus operation and headed to the Ames Farmer’s Market. This was their first step in reaching a larger audience and providing their meat — and beef byproducts — to more people.
“We eventually started selling products in three Iowa coops and opened a farm store. Today, we ship nationwide and are proud to use a variety of beef byproducts for items that consumers are seeking,” explains Recknor.
Customers who shop at the Purple Ribbon Beef Farm Store can select fresh cheese, eggs, syrups, honey, bread and vegetables from the farm. Natural beef tallow and hand-poured soy candles are also available, along with natural tallow moisturizers, tallow-based soaps and bone broth. The store features tooled leather jewelry boxes, genuine leather cowhide wristlet pouches, and travel and makeup bags. Cowhide shaving kits and decorative trays are also available.
“Purple Ribbon Beef offers specialty products that customers look for,” says Recknor. “We are passionate about customer service and want everyone to have a great experience with not just us but the entire beef industry.”
According to the Iowa Beef Industry Council, very little of a beef animal is wasted. Incorporating a “nose-to-tail” approach allows consumers to maximize the use of every part of the animal.
“I’ve witnessed the introduction and the vast growth of packaged beef bone broth on grocery store shelves,” says Emily Good, registered dietitian at the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
“Beef bone broth is a comforting and nourishing beverage and a great way to support hydration and protein intake. A cup of bone broth can contain 5-10 grams of protein, depending on how it’s made, whereas a cup of canned traditional broth contains little to no protein — usually only 1-3 grams per cup.”
Whether you’re making a traditional purchase of beef or are venturing into the world of beef byproducts, Recknor says it’s important to remember one thing.
“Know that the beef industry is committed to animal welfare and sustainability,” she says. “There is no wrong choice. You can trust that [our industry] is committed to our animals and improving efforts to make agriculture more sustainable. To do that, we must care for our animals and the land they’re raised on.”
Beef byproducts in everyday life — see how cows are more than beef and impact the world around us:
Tallow is used as the base of moisturizing balms and salves, in cleansers, candles and soap. Beef tallow is also a natural source of vitamins A, D, E and K. Grassfed beef tallow has the highest nutritional value.
Beef bone broth is made from bone marrow and has several health benefits, including supporting digestive health, boosting collagen, improving joint pain and stiffness and supporting healthy sleep.
Enjoy beef bone broth by: Sipping it warm as a comforting drink. Using it as a base for soups and stews. Adding to grains, legumes or vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition. Blending it into sauces for depth and richness.
Cowhide is used in gelatin, flavorings, sheetrock, adhesives, medicines, candies and leather.
Hooves and horns are used in adhesives, plastics, pet food, plant food, photo film, shampoo, lamination, wallpaper and plywood.
Cow hair is used in air filters, brushes, felt, insulation, plaster and textiles.
Bones are used in refined sugar, charcoal, fertilizer and glass.
Fat: This popular byproduct has many uses, including chewing gum, candles, detergents, fabric softener, deodorant, shaving cream, perfume, cosmetics, lotions, crayons, paint, lubricants, biodiesel, waterproofing, cement, chalk, matches, insulation, rubber, medicines and more.
