Notes on Animal Contributions to Human Needs

Primary uses of Cattle

Meat, milk, hides.

World numbers of Chickens

22{,}847 imes 10^{3} head.

Consumption patterns in developed nations regarding animal products

Consumers derive over half of their total protein and fat supply from animal products.

Percentage of people engaged in agriculture in developing nations

About 50 ext{%}.

Productivity increase in plowing from 100 years ago to today

From 2 ext{ acres/day} with horses and a handler to 110 ext{ acres/day} with a tractor, doing the work of 110 ext{ horses} and 55 ext{ workers}.

Average liveweight at finishing for Beef Cattle in 2016

1{,}365 ext{ lb}.

Reason meat is considered a staple for human nutrition

The amino-acid profile of animal protein more closely matches human needs than plant proteins, and it provides vitamin B12, which is not readily available from plant sources.

Approximate percentage of land unsuitable for cultivated crops

Approximately two-thirds of land areas.

Annual global population increase

Approximately 80 ext{ million} people.

Contribution of animals to cultivation power in developing countries

About 52 ext{%}.

Examples of nonfood contributions of livestock

Wool, hair, hides, pelts, animal waste for fertilizer, inedible tallow, greases, gelatin, collagen.

Application of transgenic technologies in livestock for health research

Enabling livestock to produce specialized proteins for therapeutic drugs and medical applications, such as hepatitis B antigens from dairy cows and goats, or clotting agent antithrombin III.