Beyond the Beef

Beyond the Steak: The Essential Role of Beef By-Products

At Meats by Linz, we take pride in sourcing the finest cuts of beef but there’s more to cattle than just steaks and roasts. The cattle industry fuels countless aspects of our daily lives through beef by-products, beyond the plate. From medical supplies to cosmetics and even sporting equipment, these unnoticed heroes of the beef world play a huge role in global supply chains and sustainability.

What Are Beef By-Products?

Beef by-products are the parts of the animal that aren’t consumed as traditional meat cuts. These include bones, blood, internal organs, fat, hides, horns and hooves. These materials are transformed into valuable goods across industries, proving that the entire animal truly does serve a purpose.

Here’s a breakdown of some common beef by-products and where you’ll find them:

From Bones, Hooves, and Horns:

• Glue, plastics, and adhesives used in everyday products like plywood and wallpaper.

• Combs, buttons, and piano keys, many of which once relied on bone-derived materials.

• Charcoal and fertilizers, showing the agricultural reuse of these by-products.

From Fat:

• Personal care products like shaving cream, lipstick, soap, and deodorant.

• Industrial materials such as biodiesel, antifreeze, and even fireworks.

• Food items including chewing gum and margarine.

From Internal Organs and Blood:

• Pharmaceuticals including insulin and medical sutures.

• Household goods such as dyes, pasta, and imitation eggs.

• Agricultural and energy uses including nitrogen, fertilizer and methane gas production.

From the Hide:

• Leather goods like boots, belts, and wallets.

• Sports equipment including baseballs, footballs, and volleyballs.

• Gelatin-based candies like marshmallows and gummy bears.

Hides: A By-Product Under Pressure

Despite cattle hides being one of the most visible by-products, they’re actively facing market volatility. In 2024, the U.S. exported over 18 million whole hides, with China receiving roughly two-thirds of them. However, recent tariffs and trade disruptions have led to steep declines in value; as much as 40% this spring.

This decline shows how crucial global markets are to the sustainability of beef by-products economics. For meat processors, these exports help offset costs and contribute to overall profitability. When markets tighten, as they have recently, the effects ripple throughout the supply chain.

Why It Matters

Using the whole animal isn’t just practical; it’s responsible. In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, beef by-products offer a powerful reminder that nothing should go to waste. They support medical innovation, reduce our reliance on synthetic materials, and turn waste into something of value.

At Meats by Linz, we honor this philosophy every day. From the finest steaks to the lesser-known essentials, every part of the animal serves a purpose. Because to us, quality doesn’t stop at the cut.