Animal by-Products – Types And Their Economy Importance

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Hello welcome to this blog on ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS In agriculture.

Table Of Contents

  1. Meaning of animal by-Products
  2. Hides and skin
  3. Wool and flour.
  4. Horns.
  5. Milk
  6. Egg
  7. Meat
  8. Manure
  9. Blood
  10. feathers
  11. Animal tail.

Animal by-Products are materials derived from animals that are not intended for human consumption. Examples include bones, hides, and feathers. These by-products can be utilized in various industries, such as agriculture, pet food, and cosmetics. However, their use raises ethical and environmental concerns, prompting ongoing discussions about sustainable alternatives.

Animal By-products

HIDES AND SKIN: Hides and skins are animal by-products obtained from the processing of animals in the meat industry. E.g skin of cattle, sheep, goat, pig, rabbit.

Economic Importance of Hides and Skin

  1. Use for Leather production
  2. Economic value
  3. Employment generation
  4. Export and trade
  5. Revenue generation
  6. Support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
  7. Fashion and luxury markets
  8. Automotive sector contribution
  9. Tannery operations
  10. Waste reduction.

WOOL AND FUR. Wool is a natural fiber derived from the fleece of sheep or other animals like goats.

Fur is obtained from the pelts of animals like rabbit, often raised on fur farms.

Economic Importance of Wool and Fur

  1. Textile industry contribution
  2. Apparel and fashion markets
  3. Employment generation
  4. Export and trade
  5. Luxury and high-end products
  6. Livelihood support for farmers
  7. Specialty and niche markets
  8. Art and craftsmanship
  9. Innovation in sustainable alternatives
  10. Tourism and experiential industries.

HORN. Another animal by-Products is horn, and it’s typically obtained from cattle, buffalo, or other animals like goat. They are found in the head region of the these animals.

Importance of Horn In Animal by-products

  1. Craftsmanship and art
  2. Combs and utensils
  3. Musical instruments
  4. Souvenirs and novelties
  5. Medicine and traditional practices
  6. Sustainable utilization
  7. Hunting trophies
  8. Decor and furniture
  9. Scientific and educational use
  10. Cultural and ritual items.

MILK: Milk is a nutrient-rich liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals like cow.

Importance of Milk In animal by-Products

  1. Nutrient-rich
  2. Calcium source
  3. Protein provider
  4. Vitamin supplier
  5. Essential for bone health
  6. Dairy product base
  7. Culinary versatility
  8. Infant nutrition
  9. Fermentation potential
  10. Livestock feed.

EGGS: Eggs are mainly produced by poultry birds such as white leghorn, Brown leghorn, Rhode Island red etc.

Importance of Eggs In Animal by-products

  1. Direct consumption
  2. Cooking and baking ingredient
  3. Protein source
  4. Nutrient-rich
  5. Binding agent in recipes
  6. Breakfast staple
  7. Salad topping
  8. Mayonnaise production
  9. Easter tradition (decorating and hunting)
  10. Ingredient in certain desert

MEAT: The major product of farm animal is the meat. meat is derived from all farm animals. Meat has different names depending on the animal from which it is derived. E.g.

1. Meat of cattle is called beef.

2. Meat of pig is called pork.

3. Meat of sheep is called mutton.

4. Meat of goat is called goat meat.

5. Meat of domestic fowl is called chicken.

IMPORTANCE OF MEAT IN ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS

  1. Protein source
  2. Essential amino acids provider
  3. Iron and zinc supplier
  4. Vitamin B12 source
  5. Nutrient-dense food
  6. Muscle development and repair
  7. Satiety and weight management
  8. Energy source
  9. Rich in iron for better absorption
  10. Dietary diversity and cultural significance.
  11. sources of income to farmers.

Animal dung or Manure: Animal dung or manure is produced by all farm animals. The quality of manure produced depend on the animal, age of animal, the nutrition of the animal and psychological state of the feed. The manure of poultry bird is richer than all other farm animals closely followed by the manure of rabbits.

Importance of Manure in Animal by-products

  1. Enriches soil with nutrients.
  2. Improves soil structure.
  3. Enhances water retention.
  4. Stimulates microbial activity.
  5. Promotes plant growth.
  6. Supports sustainable agriculture.
  7. Reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

BONE: Bone is also derived from all farm animals. Reasonable quantity is however obtained from cattle ,sheep and goat.

Importance of Bone in Animal by-products

  1. Industrial use in products.
  2. Source of materials for crafts.
  3. Production of gelatin.
  4. Fertilizer production.
  5. Manufacturing of bone china.
  6. Utilization in artistic or decorative items.
  7. Medical and pharmaceutical applications.
  8. it can be used in the making of shoes, especially the lower part of the shoe.
  9. bone is useful in the development of egg shell in poultry.
  10. bone is crushed and processed as bone meal for Livestock feed.

BLOOD: Blood is also obtained from all farm animals, especially cattle, sheep, goat and pigs. Blood is also derived from these animals during slaughtering.

Importance of Blood in Animal by-products

  1. Blood is processed into blood meal used in livestock feed as a source of protein.
  2. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals.
  3. it can be used in pharmaceutical industries.
  4. certain hormones can be synthesized from blood.

FEATHERS: Feathers is found on the body, wings and tail of poultry birds such as domestic fowl, Turkey, gees, ducks etc.

Importance of Feathers in Animal by-products

  1. It serves for protection of body.
  2. For flight.
  3. It keeps them warm.

To Man

  1. For making pillows.
  2. for making cushions.
  3. for making mattresses.
  4. for making dusters
  5. for decorative and insulating materials.

Tail Of Animal With Hair(undress): The tale of animals is found in some farm animals especially cattle, sheep, goat, pig and rabbit. It is most prominent in cattle.

Importance of Tail in Animal by-products

  1. It is rich source of protein e.g. cow tail, pepper soup.
  2. The tail can be used as a whip by Man.
  3. It is used for some traditional items in some societies.

To The Animal

  1. It is used for protection e.g. Defense.
  2. It is used for driving away flies.
  3. It is used for communication (i.e during stress they wag their tails).

Revision Questions

  1. (a) List six by-product derived from farm animals. (b) describe the economic importance of any three of the by-Products named above.
  2. (a) Name two farm animals each from which: milk, egg, bone, are derived from. (b) state two economic importance of each: milk, egg, bone.
  3. (a) name the class of farm animals from which: fresh skin of poultry fowl, and fresh skin of ruminant can be obtained. (b) state two functions of the skin of farm animals. (c) mention one industrial use of the skin of ruminant, One parasite of the skin of a ruminant, name the condition in which an animal does not possess horn.
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