Each hormone has a specific function in an organism, like a lock and key, the first article explained. Another article looks at why animals are given hormones. Best Food Facts expert Dr. Tim McAllister, principal research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, helps us understand the difference between hormones that occur in animals and plants.

What is the difference between plant-based and animal-based hormones?

Dr. McAllister: “The biggest difference between the two types of hormones is that they simply have different chemical structures. Plant-based hormones are called phytoestrogens and there is a large variety of different types of phytoestrogens in plants. With animal hormones, there is significantly less variety and number of types. Yes, they are structurally different, but they can have some components of their structure in common – this is why even though some hormones have different names they can still have similar biological effects.”

Do our bodies digest and breakdown plant-based and animal-based hormones differently?

Dr. McAllister: “Regardless of the type of hormones, our bodies break down the hormones we consume and use them as an energy source. All meat has hormones in it and all plants have hormones in them, so the rate of degradation will depend on the type of hormone you are referring to and its susceptibility to digestion from the enzymes in your body not the source of the hormone.”

If we were to digest an animal-based hormone and a plant-based hormone – would they affect our bodies differently?

Dr. McAllister: “Generally, animal-based hormones have a greater impact on our bodily function compared to plant-based hormones because we have evolved to produce these hormones that have regulatory effects in our system. Whereas plant-based hormones have evolved to have regulatory effects in the systems of plants. There can be cross-reactivity, where plant-based hormones can have effects on animal systems and vice versa.”

What is the difference between natural and synthetic hormones?

Dr. McAllister: “Natural hormones would be a hormone that is naturally produced in the animal’s body or the plant. A synthetic hormone is one that is synthesized in the lab which mimics the structure of any given natural hormone.”

So even though it is produced in the lab, it is a replicate of the natural hormones that our bodies produce already?

Dr. McAllister: “That’s right. There are key components in the structure of hormones that interact with receptors. If you duplicate these components synthetically, you can have similar outcomes as to what the natural hormone will have either from the plant or the animal. “

In Canada, the only animal that may be given added growth hormones are beef cattle. Do farmers give them natural or synthetic hormones?

Dr. McAllister: “Some farmers use either synthetic and natural hormones.”

How does a farmer choose when to implant natural or synthetic hormones?

Dr. McAllister: “The biggest factor when choosing a hormone to implant is based on the goal of the farmer and what they wish to achieve when using the hormone. The activity level of the hormone in the animal’s body is dependent on the structural component of the hormones itself. For example, if the animal is already mature, then you might want to choose a more active hormone because the goal is to increase their weight in a short amount of time.  If you have an animal that is out in the pasture maturing, you would choose a lower activity hormone as their will be further opportunity to increase growth during the finishing phase.”

Should we be concerned with consuming animal products when hormones may have been used through their growth process?

Dr. McAllister: “All meat and plant products have hormones of some type. There is no such thing as ‘hormone-free beef,’ ‘hormone-free pork’ or ‘hormone-free lettuce’ as hormones are essential for the function of both plants and animals. An important thing to note is that many of the hormones we consume from either ‘no-hormone added’ meat or ‘hormone added’ meat do not actually interact with the internal receptors in our body.

“When beef farmers choose to implant their cattle with hormones, the goal is to effectively use this hormone and have no trace of it left in the system before the animal goes to slaughter. Implants are designed to slowly release hormones into the animals’ system to increase the efficiency of their growth from the time of implant to when the hormone is completely used up. In most cases, the hormones in the implant are completely used up by the time the animal is ready to go to slaughter.”

All plants and animals naturally produce hormones. Synthetic hormones are produced in a laboratory and function similar to natural hormones. Most of the hormones that we consume in our food are digested and do not interact with receptions in our body.

Part 1 – Are There Hormones in My Food?

Part 3 – Why Are Animals Given Hormones?

The post What’s the Difference Between Plant and Animal Hormones? Part 2 appeared first on Best Food Facts.

This summer, two interns have been working with Best Food Facts – and they both grew up living (and working!) on family farms. Julie Choate will graduate in December with master’s of agriculture with an emphasis in communications from Missouri State University. Katelin Spradley is a senior at Oklahoma State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and animal science. We took the time to chat with them to find answers to questions we receive about farming, ranching and agriculture.

Julie Choate

Tell us about your family’s farm.

Julie: “As a sixth-generation farmer, agriculture has always been a way of life for my family. My parents and I own and operate a beef cattle and poultry operation in Missouri. We run nearly 100 head of cattle. I have been showing registered Hereford cattle at local, state and national shows since I was 8 years old. We also have around 6,000 laying turkey hens in our barns at a time. We contract through a company and sell the eggs for hatching.”

Katelin: “My family, consisting of my mom, dad, brother and I, own a commercial cow-calf operation in the northwest part of New Mexico. We have around 200 head of Angus cross cattle and sell our calves through a video auction every fall. Our ranch consists of some private and state lands, but the majority is federal land leased from the Bureau of Land Management. We also raise a few sheep, chickens and a couple horses that we use to do almost everything from checking on cattle to helping us move them from pasture to pasture.”

You both have quite a legacy in agriculture. When you were a kid, did you have to help with chores?

Julie: “Oh, of course! However, they didn’t seem much like chores – I enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) every minute of it. My daily chores usually include feeding and checking cattle as well as washing and grooming show heifers. I also help rake or bale hay, work cattle and gather turkey eggs as needed. I will continue living and working on the farm for years to come. Next June, I’m getting married to a farmer from west-central Missouri. Together, we will own and operate a farm together.”

Katelin Spradley

Did you like working on the ranch?

Katelin: “Yes, I liked living on my family’s ranch! I learned a lot about the value of hard work and gained an appreciation for life and nature. There were times when the hard work was miserable but in the end it gave me the drive and ambition that I rely on so much today. I didn’t truly appreciate all that our ranch gave me when I lived there but moving away has made me appreciate it more.”

Who operates your farm? Does a corporation run it?

Julie: “My family – that’s it. My parents are owner-operators and work on the farm all the time. It’s truly a way of life.”

Katelin: “I am the fifth generation to live and work on my family’s cattle ranch. My mom’s family came in a covered wagon to northwest New Mexico from Texas to homestead land and our family still remains there today. There is a legacy behind my family’s ranch and that is something that makes me extremely proud even though most ranches and farms in our area have a similar story.”

Both of your families raise animals and many different types – cows, sheep, turkeys, horses. How are the animals cared for?

Julie: “Our animals are one of our highest priorities. Their well-being is my family’s livelihood. We ensure that our animals are well taken care of each day. Aside from feeding, watering and providing them with a comfortable environment to live in, we also watch for signs of sickness. We have been trained by our farming ancestors and veterinarians to understand and identify when their livestock animals are not feeling well. Just like humans, animals occasionally get sick and require medicine to recuperate. We take all precautions to ensure that our animals stay as healthy and happy as possible.”

Katelin: “The health and wellbeing of our animals always came first on the ranch. I have never met a more compassionate set of people than my parents and the fellow ranchers we work with. I can recall multiple times when my family sacrificed time and comfort to ensure our cattle were healthy. We are always looking for new methods and technologies to make caring for our cattle easier.”

It sounds like you spend a lot of time outside in nature. What does your family do to protect natural resources of land, air and water?

Katelin: “My great grandfather is one of the most keen and caring environmentalists I have ever met and he ranched for nearly 60 years before moving to town to “retire.” Using lessons passed down from five generations who spent almost every waking moment interacting with nature we have been able to not only maintain but improve the quality of the land, air and water around us. Using a combination of old practices and new technologies we have provided a healthy habitat for both our cattle and the wildlife around us. Because we care so much for the environment we rely on for our livelihood, we use rotational grazing practices, erosion control, invasive species control, hunting, and minimal infrastructure to minimize our impact on nature and provide optimal benefits.”

What is one thing you wish more people understood about farming and ranching?

Julie: “I can say with confidence that most farmers truly care about the work they do and the well-being of their animals. As farmers, our ultimate task is to provide food for the world to consume – it’s a challenge. The population is growing. The amount of farmland is decreasing. Consumer confidence in the food system is decreasing. Each of these factors directly affect our ability to do our job. I hope that everyone can understand the goal of a farmer and the importance of agriculture. If you don’t understand, reach out to someone who does. Every farmer or agriculturalist I know would be happy to help an unsure consumer understand the food system.”

Katelin: “The entire food system, including the poultry, hog, beef, dairy, lamb and goat industries from production to processing and packaging, cares for and about their animals and about providing safe, healthy and affordable food. We have families that we feed with the exact same food we produce for the grocery store. We aren’t perfect, but we are always looking for new ways to improve and meet the demands of our consumers. We understand that the information out there about the food system is confusing, even for us. Agriculture doesn’t look like the red barn and green field ideal that it used to be but that’s okay because the compassion for life, strong work ethic, and pride in what we produce remains.”

What is the best thing about working in agriculture?

Julie: “To me, I enjoy living in a rural area where I can fall asleep at night hearing the crickets chirping and wake up listening to the birds sing. Farm work is hard and challenging, but also very enjoyable and rewarding. Our farm is primarily operated by my parents and I, but we lean on other family members and neighbors on occasion for extra help. The farming community is great to be a part of and truly a family in itself.”

Katelin: “I think the best thing about living and working on a farm is that you get to see a part of life that only two percent of the population really gets to experience. You become intimately tied to the land you work and the animals you care for. It is almost a spiritual experience. Plus, it allows you to approach life with a unique viewpoint. I understand and appreciate our food system and all the hard work, care, and consideration that goes into providing safe, wholesome and affordable food. Nothing in agriculture is guaranteed and I think growing up relying on what nature gives you puts a lot of other things that aren’t important into perspective. Everyone eats and everyone has a connection to agriculture and it’s nice to have that common connection with every person in the world!”

Thank you for letting us see what life is like on your ranch and farm. You perspective has helped us to better understand how our food is grown.

The post Life on the Farm: Interns Share Their Stories appeared first on Best Food Facts.