A Variety of Everyday Products Rely on Agriculture
In partnership with: North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Let’s take a quiz: What do hamburgers, paintbrushes, lip glosses and batteries have in common? All these everyday products rely on North Dakota agriculture.
Corn
Corn is one of the most diverse and dependable products in our everyday lives. The majority of corn produced doesn’t go to human food production. Instead, it’s used in products including plastic, batteries, deodorants, cough syrup, carpet, diapers, animal feed and lots more. Many of these products include cornstarch or corn syrup, which are byproducts of field corn.
One of the most prominent daily uses of corn comes in the form of fuel. Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced from corn and found in gasoline at almost every gas station across the country.
Soy
North Dakota soybean farmers also provide a key product found in many everyday items.
“You can find soy nearly everywhere,” says Stephanie Sinner, executive director of the North Dakota Soybean Council. “Soy truly provides solutions to every life, every day.”
Soybean components include oil, protein, soy protein isolate byproducts, hulls and soy hull cellulose, which are all used in different ways. Many of these components are used to make items more environmentally friendly, such as household cleaners, paints, motor oil and building materials.
Soybean oils can be found in lip gloss, lotions and other beauty products. Many consumers also enjoy soy milk daily. The plant is used for tofu, miso and edamame.
“Soymilk is a comparable alternative for those who have dietary restrictions to cow’s milk and has the highest protein content of any plant-based milk,” Sinner says.
Beef
Beef products might seem straightforward, but in fact, beef byproducts are utilized in a plethora of everyday products.
“Other than food, the biggest byproduct is the cowhide and all of the leather that is used in everything from clothing to furniture to vehicles to sports equipment,” says Nancy Jo Bateman, executive director of the North Dakota Beef Commission. “From one animal, you can make 144 baseballs or 20 footballs or 18 soccer balls. Nothing goes to waste.”
In addition to meat products and leather, gelatin is made from the hooves and connective tissue of a cow. Products such as gummy bears and marshmallows contain gelatin. Beef byproducts are also found in medicines, paintbrushes, candles, soap and toothpaste.
“It’s understanding that everything we can get from a cow has a purpose,” Bateman says.