Author: MANUFACTURING BV

October 29, 2020

How To Clean Ivries

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Regularly referred to as whistlers or buglers, the eyeteeth of elk are actually vestigial tusks—a throwback to their ancient ancestors. Cervids of old would use these tusks to battle during the rut and defend themselves against predators, but as evolution selected for bigger antlers, those canines started to recede.

In modern-day elk, the ivories have shrunk to be thumb tip-sized nubs. They’re found in bulls and cows, and form in calves at about a year of age. Hunters often credit the ivories for elk’s musical sounds, but that’s just an old wives’ tale.

Fashionable sportsmen never leave the ivories behind, regularly turning them into rings, necklaces, hatbands, pendants, watches, cufflinks, belt buckles, tie tacks, and more. Or, if you’re like me and lack the confidence to pull off an ivory earring or bolo tie, they reside in a display case next to fossils, arrowheads, and other natural wonders.

If you’re also like me, your ivories sat in a backpack for a year and had dried flesh welded onto them. Cleaning them up seemed like a daunting task, but all I needed was a few household items to reveal those buttery cream colors underneath and make the ivories display-case ready.

To start, simmer the ivories in a pot of water for a few hours. Don’t let the water come to a boil, as you’re just trying to loosen the tissue on the canines. After that, you’ll be able to scrape away the flesh with your fingernails.

Next, create a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda cocktail to whiten the ivories. Since my ivories sat uncleaned for a year, I soaked them in the mix for 24 hours. However, if your ivories are fresh out the skull, you can probably have them looking polished in just a couple hours.

Once they’ve had their hydrogen peroxide baptism, they’ll be ready to show off, whether that means rocking them in a hatband or hanging one from your rear view mirror.

October 29, 2020

What to Know About Elk Ivroy

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How many ivories are in an Elk’s mouth?  An elk has only 2 ivories, situated forward in its upper jaw, an elk has no upper front teeth.  The ivories are where the canine teeth are and are left over from their ancient ancestors who had tusks where the ivory teeth are today.  Modern elk, when threatened, will snarl and expose their ivories, which was probably more impressive when they were elongated tusks.  Elk have other teeth, but they are made of enamel and resemble the teeth of other herbivores.  Elk and walrus are the only animals in North America that have ivory tusks.

​Why are elk ivories so expensive? Since an elk only produces 2 ivories, they are not easy to come by, they are also not easy or fun to clean.  When the elk is young (1-4 years), the ivories are hollow.  Often when the hollow ivories are removed, the teeth are damaged and broken.  Because they are hollow they are not as valuable as more mature elk teeth and the hollow root is filled with a sac of blood that turns dark and discolors the tooth if not removed during cleaning.  When the elk is mature (4-7) years the tooth is solid and most prime, and the bull elk tooth develops two points on the root.  After 7 years they start to wear down the ivory down due to grinding, which makes the ivory less valuable.  So not only do you get just 2 teeth out of an elk, depending on the age, the tooth may not be that valuable.  Therefore, GOOD teeth can be very expensive and more of a valuable commodity.  Adding to their scarcity, the ivories are kept as trophies by the hunter and are used by jewelry makers to make rings, necklace charms, etc. prized by non native people for their rarity and trophy value.  Primarily the jeweler is concerned with the appearance of the coloring and rings on the bottom of the crown.  Some native people call this the “moccasin” as it resembles the sole of a moccasin in color and shape.

It is elk hunting season in Colorado, and although many hunters are interested in harvesting an elk for its meat, some hunters are after a trophy bull.

Trophy elk are scored based on how large their antlers are and how many “points” or tines they have on each. But if humans had been hunting for trophy elk 25 million years ago or so, they would have been after the animal with the largest tusks, not antlers.

Elk are members of the deer family, and while modern male deer are noted for their antlers, prehistoric deer lacked antlers. They had tusks instead.

Tusks are technically teeth (usually canine teeth), but are distinctive in that they grow continuously and protrude from the mouth. Today’s elk still bear remnants of their toothy past. Partially hidden in the upper jaw of both male and female elk are vestigial tusks, more commonly known as ivories.

An elk’s ivories actually are canine teeth. They are not large — less than an inch of the tooth is exposed in an adult elk — and they aren’t used in chewing. There is no corresponding tooth on the lower jaw for them to make contact with, but they do wear down some over time.

Some elk ivories are pearly white, but others are stained deep brown by tannins in the plants the elk eats and digestive juices (elk aren’t known to use Crest Whitestrips).

The term ivory technically refers to animal tusk material used in art or craft.

Humans have used elk ivories to make jewelry and decorate other goods for centuries. Among many American Indian tribes, ivories were used to adorn women’s dresses and were a symbol of prosperity.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, elk ivory became fashionable, and the teeth were used to decorate watch fobs, the short chains attached to pocket watches. At that time these watch fobs were an unofficial symbol of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.), a fraternal order and social club still active today and commonly known as “the Elks.”

But elk ivory’s popularity led to a spike in prices for the teeth, which in turn created an poaching problem. In 1907, in an effort to stop the poaching, the B.P.O.E spoke out against the use of elk ivories for jewelry and helped establish the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming.

While humans use elk ivories for adornment, elk use them in a manner that recalls a time when these teeth were much more impressive.

They use them to threaten their rivals. An angry elk will sometimes curl its upper lip in a sneer display that reveals its vestigial tusks.

It is thought that as ancient deer evolved and grew antlers, they lost their tusks.

Only a handful of modern species of deer and deer-relatives still bear prominent tusks. Chinese water deer, muntjacs and tufted deer are all relatively small species that live in Asia and still have tusks.

These species generally lack antlers.

With their diminutive size, big brown eyes and large fang-like tusks, these deer almost look made-up, like Bambi masquerading as a vampire for Halloween.

Scientists are not entirely sure if any of the prehistoric deer that moved into North America from Asia many millions of years ago had tusks. Most of the fossil remains that paleontologists have found so far are incomplete.

According to Dr. Darrin Pagnac, a paleontologist at the South Dakota School of Mines who studies ancient grasslands and the herbivores that grazed on them, “The earliest ‘deer’ in North America is Eocoileus, from the late Miocene (5 to 7 million years ago).

“All we have of it is a partial antler and the back of the skull. No teeth, so we can’t tell if it had canines or not.”

Regardless of whether any tusked deer ever roamed the plains of North America, elk ivories are a reminder of ancient times, when the wildlife inhabiting our continent looked very different than their descendants of today.

Once upon a time prehistoric cheetahs and camels roamed here.

Giant sloths, weighing a ton, browsed on leaves, and the giant beaver, which was more than six feet long, presumably cut down really big trees.

As magnificent as elk and Colorado’s other wildlife is today, the creatures of the past might have been even more impressive.

October 29, 2020

Do Elk Have Ivory Teeth?

Post By MANUFACTURING BV Blog 9 Comments

Today, most people don’t even realize they are there because the pair of ivories is hidden in the elk’s upper jaw. … And yes, these ivory teeth are just that, real ivory. And they’re present in both bull elk and cow elk. Just like other elk teeth, they can slowly get worn down and stained over time as the elk gets older.

The elk or wapiti, which has the taxonomic name Cervus elaphus, once ranged all over the North American continent. Found today chiefly in the western United States, elk possess the rare distinction of having both antlers and ivory canine teeth, believed to have been bona fide tusks many thousands of years ago during the animal’s evolution.

Characteristics of the Teeth

Among North American animals, only walruses and elk have ivory teeth. In walruses these are tusks, but in elk they are anatomically similar to the remaining teeth. These ivories, also called “buglers” or “whistlers,” rest in the maxilla, or upper jaw, on each side of the incisors, or front teeth. In prehistoric times, before the elk wandered eastward across the Bering land bridge into what is now Alaska, these ivory teeth were perhaps 6 to 8 inches long.

October 29, 2020

Suprising Facts About Elk Tusk

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Two of elk’s canine teeth are commonly known as ivory. Elk’s ivories are made of the same material and have the some chemical composition as tusks on walruses, wild boars and elephants.

Calves get the hang of things pretty quickly.

Calves can stand just 20 minutes after they’ve been born.

Antlers can be quite heavy.

A mature bull’s antlers, which are solid bone, can weigh up to 40 pounds.

But they start over with antlers each year.

Despite their size and weight, bulls shed their antlers every year and grow a new set next spring.

Maybe you haven’t seen an elk, but perhaps you’ve heard one.

Bull elk bugle, to both attract females and display dominance over other males.

Listen here.

They’re creatures of the night.

Elk move and feed at night and rest during the day.

You think you see a bunch of elk? No, you see a gang of elk.

Their group name is gang. How cool is that?

National Forests are important for Elk.

National Forests provide 80 percent of the habitat for not only elk, but mountain goat and bighorn sheep as well.

Elk aren’t just in the West.

Yes, elk inhabit much of the west. But did you know you could also find elk in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina?

Learn more about elk from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, National Geographic and the National Park Service.

Facts

Elk are considered old world deer whose ancestors have been found on European and Asian Continents.  They are thought to have migrated across the Bering Strait land bridge 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.  Many scientists believe that the elk’s ivory teeth are the remnants of tusks from the elk’s prehistoric ancestors and that they used to be 6-8” long.

Elk are one of the few creatures that possess both antlers and canine teeth, also called “ivories”, “buglers” and “whistlers”.  These teeth are located on the upper jaw near the front of the mouth.  Elk are the only North American animal, aside from the walrus, that have ivory canines.

Elk easily adapt to a wide range of temperatures by growing two entirely different coats.  The summer coat is a thin, sleek layer of short hair that is the color of copper.  It is entirely replaced by the light brown and tan winter coat, which consists of two layers – thick, long guard hairs and a dense, wooly undercoat.

During the winter, elk feed on open sunny slopes and bed down in the trees at night to seek shelter from wind and cold temperatures.

During the summer, elk bed down in cool, shady forests during the day and wade or lie in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes to seek relief from heat and biting insects.

Elk and other members of the deer family belong to a group of animals called ungulates, the Latin word for “hoof.” All ungulates have hooves. There are two distinct orders of “ungulates”. The number of toes is the most obvious difference between the orders. Artiodactyls (elk, deer, bison, pronghorn, peccary) have an even number of toes and the males grow and shed their antlers each year. Perissodactyls (horses, elephants) have an odd number of toes. Ungulates are herbivores — they eat only plants. Their diet may include grasses, forbs (low-growing, short-stemmed plants), shrubs and trees (including limbs and bark).

Elk are also called wapiti, a Native American word that means “light-colored deer.”

When an elk receives a signal of danger, it raises its head high and opens its eyes widely. It rotates the ears and tries to capture the sound.

Bulls

Bulls reach maturity at 7 to 8 years of age.  A mature bull averages 800 to 1,100 pounds, stands 5’ to 5’6” at the shoulder and 8’ from nose to tail.

Bulls are capable of breeding at two years of age.

Due to the increasing daylight, Bulls lose their antlers in March and April and regrow them every year.  Bulls grow antlers back in 90 days and can grow upwards of 2” a day during peak times.  If a human could grow bone that quickly, a broken leg would heal in one day.

Bulls remain infertile for two or three months during velvet antler growth.

The number of antler points and antler mass on a bull are influenced by genetics and feed, as well as by maturity.  A set of antlers can weigh more than 40 pounds.

After the summer solstice, bulls’ testosterone levels increase and begin the calcification of the velvet antler.  Bulls begin stripping the velvet covering in August.  The reproduction patterns of elk are prompted by an increase in melatonin as night lengths increase.

The rut begins in late August and continues through October.

During the rut, the neck muscles and body mass of the bulls increase.  A thick mane develops and the voice box enlarges to allow bugling.

Bulls compete for dominance through bugling, sparring, and chasing would-be competitors away (injuries are rare).

Bulls also create and seek out wet areas to mark territory by wallowing and scenting.

A bull will gather a group of females and keep then away from other bulls. One bull can service 20 to 40 cows.

Bulls and cows go through a ritual before the actual “high mount” of mating.

During the rut, a bull elk can loose up to 30{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200} of his weight.

After the rut, bulls slowly lose much of their aggression and dominant activity, are at their lowest weight, and are in a most vulnerable physical condition with no fat reserves.

A bull will dress out at approximately 60{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200} of live weight.

Cows

Elk Cows are considered mature at 3-4 years of age.  At maturity, they average 550 to 600 pounds, stand 4’ to 5’ at the shoulder, and are approximately 61/2’ from nose to tail.

Young cows usually come into estrus at 18-months of age.

Cows do not grow antlers.

As with bulls, a cow’s estrus cycle is prompted by an increase in melatonin as night lengths increase in late summer and early fall.

Artificial insemination is common in elk ranching, with a success rate of 50-80{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200}.

A cow’s gestation is approximately 246 days, plus or minus 10.

Elk are a single offspring species; twinning is rare.

Elk cows are very good mothers.  Bonding between mother and calf begins when the cow labels her own calf with her saliva when cleaning the calf after birth.  The calf call, or squeal, and the response from the mother, also plays an important role in the bonding process.

Calves

Calves are born in May through June and spend the first week of their lives in tall grass, usually getting up only to nurse.

A newborn calf can stand within 30-45 minutes.  Calves weigh around 40 pounds at birth and grow about a pound and a half a day.

Calves are spotted and scentless when born to help hide and protect them from predators.  They develop their brown coats in six months.

Through natural instinct, the cow watches the calf from a short distance, drawing near when it is threatened.

Elk Meat

Elk meat, or venison, has fewer calories, less fat, and less cholesterol than beef, chicken, lamb, turkey and most fish.  Elk meat is also very high in protein and is more richly flavored than beef.  It is also rich in minerals particularly iron and phosphorus, which accounts for its rich dark coloring.

Elk are raised using no growth hormones or chemicals.

Elk are predominantly grazers and eat most upland grasses (e.g. broom) and legumes (e.g. alfalfa).  They will also consume grains (e.g. corn, oats).  Elk can consume up to 20{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200} of their diet in browse.

Elk are efficient converters of food.  Three cow elks’ feed intake is the same as that of one beef cow.

Velvet Antler

“Velvet antler” does not refer to the velvety “skin” on growing antlers but rather the whole cartilaginous antler in a pre-calcified stage.

Typically the antler is cut off near the base after it is about two-thirds of its potential full size, and before any significant calcification occurs.  The antler is dried and is used in capsule form (in the U.S.) for a wide variety of health remedy and health maintenance purposes.

Velvet antler is effective as an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, immune stimulant, and pro-grown agent.  Antlers are said to be the fastest growing membrane known, and it is this rapidly growing tissue that contains the micronutrients needed to improve some human health deficiencies.

The cutting of the velvet antlers does not harm the animal and antlers are regown the next year.

Bulls produce velvet every year.  An average 2-year old will grow approximately 9 pound of velvet.  Generally, bulls increase velvet yields every year until maturity.  Mature bulls (7 to 8 years old) may produce 30-40 pounds of velvet.

October 29, 2020

Tips on how to grow Soyabeans

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An ancient crop of the Orient, soybeans (Glycine max ‘Edamame’) are just beginning to become an established staple of the Western world. While it’s not the most commonly planted crop in home gardens, many people are taking to growing soybeans in fields and reaping in the health benefits these crops provide. Information on Soybeans Soybean plants have been harvested for more than 5,000 years, but only in the last 250 years or so have Westerners become aware of their enormous nutritional benefits. Wild soybean plants can still be found in China and are beginning to find a place in gardens throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. Soja max, the Latin nomenclature comes from the Chinese word ‘sou’, which is derived from the word ‘soi‘ or soy. However, soybean plants are so revered in the Orient that there are over 50 names for this extremely important crop! Soy bean plants have been written about as early as the old Chinese ‘Materia Medica’ circa 2900-2800 B.C. However, it doesn’t appear in any European records until A.D. 1712, after its discovery by a German explorer in Japan during the years 1691 and 1692. Soybean plant history in the United States is disputable, but certainly by 1804 the plant had been introduced in eastern areas of the U.S. and more fully after an 1854 Japanese expedition by a Commodore Perry. Still, the popularity of soybeans in the Americas was limited to its use as a field crop even as recently as the 1900’s.
How to Grow
Soybeans Soybean plants are fairly easy to grow — about as easy as bush beans and planted much the same way. Growing soybeans can occur when soil temperatures are 50 F. (10 C.) or so, but more ideally at 77 F. (25 C.). When growing soybeans, don’t rush planting as cold soil temperatures will keep the seed from germinating and stagger planting times for a continuous harvest. Primis Player Placeholder Soybean plants at maturation are quite large (2 feet (0.5 m.) tall), so when planting soybeans, be aware that they are not a crop to attempt in a small garden space. Make rows 2-2 ½ feet (0.5 to 1 m.) apart in the garden with 2-3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm.) between plants when planting soybeans. Sow seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm.) deep and 2 inches (5 cm.) apart. Be patient; germination and maturation periods for soybeans are longer than most other crops.
Growing Soybean Problems
Don’t sow soybean seeds when the field or garden is overly wet, as cyst nematode and sudden death syndrome may affect the growth potential. Low soil temperatures will prevent germination of the soybean plant or cause root rotting pathogens to flourish. In addition, planting soybeans too early may also contribute to high populations of bean leaf beetle infestations.
Harvesting Soybeans
Soybean plants are harvested when the pods (edamame) are still an immature green, prior to any yellowing of the pod. Once the pod turns yellow, the quality and flavor of the soybean is compromised. Pick by hand from the soybean plant, or pull the entire plant from the soil and then remove pods.

Sow

Sow in May and early June 5cm (2in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays of seed compost. Put in a propagator, or seal inside a polythene bag, and provide gentle heat to 18-20°C (64-68°F).

They can also be sown directly outside once the soil has warmed up in late spring.

After germinating grow plants on by placing on a light windowsill. Move seedlings into larger pots when roots appear through the drainage holes in the base.

Alternatively, seeds can also be sown directly outside once the soil has warmed up in late spring, ideally under fleece or cloches.

Grow

Gradually acclimatise indoor sown plants to outdoor conditions before planting out after all risk of frost has passed.

Soya beans prefer well-drained but moist soil in a sunny position.

Sow or plant 15cm (6in) apart in rows 45cm (18in) apart.

Plants can grow up to 1.2m (4ft) high, but are mainly self-supporting.

Hoe around plants regularly and keep well watered. Mulching during dry periods will help cropping.

Harvesting

When ripe beans are ready for harvesting, the leaves will start to fall from plants, often leaving just brown stems with lots of hanging pods from late September. The pods remain weatherproof during the autumn, so you can pick as required.

Beans are easy to store on the plants or in airtight containers. Harvested beans must be boiled for at least 10 minutes before eating to destroy any toxins.

Edamame beans are harvested unripe by pulling up whole plants.

Varieties

Envy:Heavy crops of beans up to 60cm (24in).

Black Jet:A tough variety that crops well in poor summers.

Ustie:A fast-growing cultivar that has been bred specifically for the British climate.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Growing Soybeans: Information On Soybeans In The Garden https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/soybean/soybean-growing-information.htm

October 29, 2020

Uses for Soyabeans

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Soybean are used in a wide variety of foods for humans and animals, as well as for industrial and consumer products such as building materials, lubricants and other household items. Learn about those soy-based options in the Soy Products Guide.

Uses for Meal

Animal Feed
Poultry and livestock feed makes up 97 percent of soybean meal used in the U.S. In Missouri, pigs are the largest consumer of soybean meal followed by broilers, turkeys and cattle. In 2012, livestock in Missouri used the meal from 37.9 million bushels of Missouri soybeans. The United Soybean Board supports animal agriculture through:

  • Supporting domestic animal agriculture
  • Marketing soybean meal to animal nutritionists
  • Promoting U.S. meat and poultry exports
  • Developing data and information important to livestock producers

Looking for guidance on using soybean meal, soybean hulls or other soy products in your livestock rations? The University of Missouri Cooperative Extension Service created a feed calculator in 2020 that may be helpful. Access the calculator as a Microsoft Excel file by clicking here.

Food
The other 3 percent of soybean meal used in the U.S. is in food products like protein alternatives and soymilk. People who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy may consume soy food products for this reason. Soy protein is also a way for vegetarian and vegan consumers to get their recommended daily protein. Soy also appears in products like:

  • Soy sauce
  • Soy-fortified pastas
  • Breakfast cereals and bars
  • Some beverages and whipped toppings

Uses for Oil

Food
Oil used for food accounts for 68 percent of soybean oil used in the U.S. This oil can be used:

  • For frying or baking foods
  • As a vegetable oil
  • As an ingredient in foods like salad dressings and margarines

Industrial Uses
Soybean oil used for industrial purposes accounts for 7 percent of soybean oil used in the U.S. This oil is converted into products like paints, plastics and cleaners.

Biodiesel
Biodiesel makes up 25 percent of soybean oil used in the U.S. Biodiesel is a renewable substitute for petroleum diesel made from soybean oil. The fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases energy efficiency and provides a 15 percent price support for soybeans. Learn more about biodiesel here.

Soy Tires
Soybean oil improves tire flexibility at lower temperatures, allowing for increasing rubber pliability and traction in cold temperatures, rain or snow. Additionally, soybean oil mixes better with rubber compounds in the tire leading to reduced energy consumption and a more efficient manufacturing process.

The Goodyear® Tire and Rubber Company has successfully developed innovative lines of soy-based tires. Supported by U.S. soybean farmers, Goodyear is committed to sustainability by increasing amounts of soybean oil in their tires and reducing the amount of petroleum oil.

October 29, 2020

Nutritional Facts Of Soya Beans

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Soybeans or soya beans (Glycine max) are a type of legume native to eastern Asia.

They are an important component of Asian diets and have been consumed for thousands of years. Today, they are mainly grown in Asia and South and North America.

In Asia, soybeans are often eaten whole, but heavily processed soy products are much more common in Western countries.

Various soy products are available, including soy flour, soy protein, tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, and soybean oil.

Soybeans contain antioxidants and phytonutrients that are linked to various health benefits. However, concerns have been raised about potential adverse effects.

This article tells you everything you need to know about soybeans.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Nutrition facts

Soybeans are mainly composed of protein but also contain good amounts of carbs and fat.

The nutrition facts for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of boiled soybeans are (1Trusted Source):

  • Calories: 173
  • Water: 63{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200}
  • Protein: 16.6 grams
  • Carbs: 9.9 grams
  • Sugar: 3 grams
  • Fiber: 6 grams
  • Fat: 9 grams
    • Saturated: 1.3 grams
    • Monounsaturated: 1.98 grams
    • Polyunsaturated: 5.06 grams
    • Omega-3: 0.6 grams
    • Omega-6: 4.47 g

Protein

Soybeans are among the best sources of plant-based protein.

The protein content of soybeans is 36–56{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200} of the dry weight (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).

One cup (172 grams) of boiled soybeans boasts around 29 grams of protein (5Trusted Source).

The nutritional value of soy protein is good, although the quality is not quite as high as animal protein (6Trusted Source).

The main types of protein in soybeans are glycinin and conglycinin, which make up approximately 80{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200} of the total protein content. These proteins may trigger allergic reactions in some people (4Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

Consumption of soy protein has been linked with a modest decrease in cholesterol levels (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).

Fat

Soybeans are classified as oilseeds and used to make soybean oil.

The fat content is approximately 18{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200} of the dry weight — mainly polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, with small amounts of saturated fat (11Trusted Source).

The predominant type of fat in soybeans is linoleic acid, accounting for approximately 50{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200} of the total fat content.

Carbs

Being low in carbs, whole soybeans are very low on the glycemic index (GI), which is a measure of how foods affect the rise in blood sugar after a meal (12).

This low GI makes soybeans suitable for people with diabetes.

Fiber

Soybeans contain a fair amount of both soluble and insoluble fiber.

The insoluble fibers are mainly alpha-galactosides, which may cause flatulence and diarrhea in sensitive individuals (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

Alpha-galactosides belong to a class of fibers called FODMAPs, which may exacerbate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (15Trusted Source).

Despite causing unpleasant side effects in some people, soluble fibers in soybeans are generally considered healthy.

They are fermented by bacteria in your colon, leading to the formation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which may improve gut health and reduce your risk of colon cancer (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

Vitamins and minerals

Soybeans are a good source of various vitamins and minerals, including (1Trusted Source):

  • Molybdenum. Soybeans are rich in molybdenum, an essential trace element primarily found in seeds, grains, and legumes (18Trusted Source).
  • Vitamin K1. The form of vitamin K found in legumes is known as phylloquinone. It plays an important role in blood clotting (19Trusted Source).
  • Folate. Also known as vitamin B9, folate has various functions in your body and is considered particularly important during pregnancy (20Trusted Source).
  • Copper. Dietary intake of copper is often low in Western populations. Deficiency may have adverse effects on heart health (21Trusted Source).
  • Manganese. A trace element found in most foods and drinking water. Manganese is poorly absorbed from soybeans due to their high phytic acid content (22Trusted Source).
  • Phosphorus. Soybeans are a good source of phosphorus, an essential mineral abundant in the Western diet.
  • Thiamine. Also known as vitamin B1, thiamine plays an important role in many bodily functions.
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Other plant compounds

Soybeans are rich in various bioactive plant compounds, including (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source):

  • Isoflavones. A family of antioxidant polyphenols, isoflavones have a variety of health effects.
  • Phytic acid. Found in all plant seeds, phytic acid (phytate) impairs the absorption of minerals like zinc and iron. Levels of this acid can be reduced by boiling, sprouting, or fermenting the beans.
  • Saponins. One of the main classes of plant compounds in soybeans, saponins have been found to reduce cholesterol in animals.

Isoflavones

Soybeans contain higher amounts of isoflavones than other common foods (27Trusted Source).

Isoflavones are unique phytonutrients that resemble the female sex hormone estrogen. In fact, they belong to a family of substances called phytoestrogens (plant estrogens).

The main types of isoflavones in soy are genistein (50{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200}), daidzein (40{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200}), and glycitein (10{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200}) (23Trusted Source).

Some people possess a special type of gut bacteria that can convert daidzein to equol, a substance considered responsible for many of the beneficial health effects of soybeans.

People whose bodies can produce equol are expected to benefit much more from soy consumption than those whose bodies cannot (28Trusted Source).

The percentage of equol producers is higher in Asian populations and among vegetarians than in the general Western population (29Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source).

Health benefits of soybeans

Like most whole foods, soybeans have a number of beneficial health effects.

May reduce cancer risk

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in modern society.

Eating soy products is linked to increased breast tissue in women, hypothetically increasing the risk of breast cancer (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).

However, most observational studies indicate that consumption of soy products may reduce breast cancer risk (34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source).

Studies also indicate a protective effect against prostate cancer in men (36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source, 38Trusted Source).

A number of soybean compounds — including isoflavones and lunasin — may be responsible for the potential cancer-preventive effects (39Trusted Source, 40Trusted Source).

Exposure to isoflavones early in life may be particularly protective against breast cancer later in life (41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source).

Keep in mind that this evidence is limited to observational studies, which indicate an association between soy consumption and cancer prevention — but do not prove causation.

Alleviation of menopause symptoms

Menopause is the period in a woman’s life when menstruation stops.

It is often associated with unpleasant symptoms — such as sweating, hot flashes, and mood swings — which are brought about by a reduction in estrogen levels.

Interestingly, Asian women — especially Japanese women — are less likely to experience menopause symptoms than Western women.

Dietary habits, such as the higher consumption of soy foods in Asia, may explain this difference.

Studies indicate that isoflavones, a family of phytoestrogens found in soybeans, may alleviate these symptoms (43Trusted Source, 44Trusted Source).

Soy products do not affect all women in this way. Soy only seems to be effective in so-called equol producers — those who possess a type of gut bacteria able to convert isoflavones into equol.

Equol may be responsible for many of soy’s health benefits.

Daily intake of 135 mg of isoflavones for 1 week — equivalent to 2.4 ounces (68 grams) of soybeans per day — reduced menopausal symptoms only in equol producers (45Trusted Source).

While hormonal therapies have traditionally been used as a treatment for menopausal symptoms, isoflavone supplements are widely used today (46Trusted Source).

Bone health

Osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone density and an increased risk of fractures, especially in older women.

Consumption of soy products may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women who have undergone menopause (47Trusted Source, 48Trusted Source).

These beneficial effects seem to be caused by isoflavones (49Trusted Source, 50Trusted Source, 51Trusted Source, 52Trusted Source).

SUMMARY Soybeans contain plant compounds that may help prevent breast and prostate cancer. What’s more, these legumes may relieve menopause symptoms and cut the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Concerns and adverse effects

Even though soybeans have a number of health benefits, some individuals need to limit their consumption of soy products — or avoid them altogether.

Suppression of thyroid function

High intake of soy products may suppress thyroid function in some people and contribute to hypothyroidism — a condition characterized by low production of thyroid hormones (53Trusted Source).

The thyroid is a large gland that regulates growth and controls the rate at which your body expends energy.

Animal and human studies indicate that the isoflavones found in soybeans may suppress the formation of thyroid hormones (54Trusted Source, 55Trusted Source).

One study in 37 Japanese adults showed that eating 1 ounce (30 grams) of soybeans every day for 3 months caused symptoms related to suppressed thyroid function.

The symptoms included discomfort, sleepiness, constipation, and thyroid enlargement — all of which disappeared after the study ended (56Trusted Source).

Another study in adults with mild hypothyroidism found that taking 16 mg of isoflavones every day for 2 months suppressed thyroid function in 10{98880d97af0555a3a517c8aae666eeb64e7bd6d49cbbe05617dcb138f6e48200} of the participants (55Trusted Source).

The amount of isoflavones consumed was rather small — equivalent to eating 0.3 ounces (8 grams) of soybeans per day (57Trusted Source).

However, most studies in healthy adults have not found any significant links between soy consumption and changes in thyroid function (58Trusted Source, 59Trusted Source, 60Trusted Source).

An analysis of 14 studies noted no significant adverse effects of soybean consumption on thyroid function in healthy adults, whereas infants born with thyroid hormone deficiency were considered at risk (58Trusted Source).

In short, regular consumption of soy products or isoflavone supplements may lead to hypothyroidism in sensitive individuals, especially those who have an underactive thyroid gland.

Flatulence and diarrhea

Like most other beans, soybeans contain insoluble fibers, which may cause flatulence and diarrhea in sensitive individuals (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

Although not unhealthy, these side effects can be unpleasant.

Belonging to a class of fibers called FODMAPs, the fibers raffinose and stachyose may worsen symptoms of IBS, a common digestive disorder (15Trusted Source).

If you have IBS, avoiding or limiting the consumption of soybeans may be a good idea.

Soy allergy

Food allergy is a common condition caused by a harmful immune reaction to certain components in foods.

Soy allergy is triggered by soy proteins — glycinin and conglycinin — found in most soy products (7Trusted Source).

Even though soybeans are one of the most common allergenic foods, soy allergy is relatively uncommon in both children and adults (61Trusted Source, 62Trusted Source).

October 29, 2020

What are soybeans?

Post By MANUFACTURING BV Blog 6 Comments

Soybeans belong to the legume family and are native to East Asia. They have been an important protein source in the Orient for over five thousand years. Soybeans have only been introduced to the Western world since the 20th century. Soybeans grow on a variety of soils and a wide range of climates, ranging form tropical Brazil to the snowy island Hokkaido in the north of Japan. As soybeans mature in the pod, they ripen into hard, dry beans. Although most soybeans are yellow,

there are also rare varieties which are black, brown or green coloured. A given area of land planted with soybeans can produce much more protein than land planted with other crops, or if the land were used to raise cattle.

Storing soybeans

Fresh soybeans, or edamame, should be refrigerated and used within two days. Frozen edamame can be stored in the freezer for several months. Dried soybeans can be kept in an airtight container for a very long period.

Cooking soybeans

Soybeans are most often transformed in other foods such as tempeh, tofu, miso, shoyu, soy milk or other food ingredients. However, cooked soybeans can also be used as an ingredient in soups, sauces and stews. To prepare two cups of soybeans for cooking, soak them in about six cups of water for about eight hours. This soaking shortens the cooking time, improves the texture and appearance of the beans and removes some of the indigestible sugars. Drain, rinse and cook the soaked soybeans in about six cups of fresh water. Do not add salt at this point or it will delay the softening of the soybeans. Pressure-cook the soaked soybeans for about 40 min. When you cook soybeans, make it worth your while by cooking two or three times what you need and freezing the rest for later use.

Protein source

Whole soybeans are an excellent source of protein and dietary fibre. Soy protein is the only vegetable with a complete protein. Soy protein has recently attracted a lot of attention because of its ability to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Results from research have prompted health professionals to request the government to officially give a stamp of approval for soy’s cholesterol-lowering effects. The Food and Drug Administration approved the cholesterol-lowering health claim for soy, indicating that daily consumption of 25 grams of soy protein (6.5 grams of soy protein per serving) may lower LDL cholesterol.

October 29, 2020

Everything You Need To Know About Soya Bean

Post By MANUFACTURING BV Blog 9 Comments

Soybean, (Glycine max), also called soja bean or soya bean, annual legume of the pea family (Fabaceae) and its edible seed. The soybean is economically the most important bean in the world, providing vegetable protein for millions of people and ingredients for hundreds of chemical products.

soybean
soybean

Soybeans (Glycine max).

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origins of agriculture: The soybean
This is an outstanding example of an ages-old crop that, because of the development of new processes to make its oil and meal more useful,…

The origins of the soybean plant are obscure, but many botanists believe it was first domesticated in central China as early as 7000 bce. An ancient crop, the soybean has been used in China, Japan, and Korea for thousands of years as a food and a component of medicines. Soybeans were introduced into the United States in 1804 and became particularly important in the South and Midwest in the mid-20th century. Brazil and Argentina are also major producers.

The soybean is an erect branching plant and can reach more than 2 metres (6.5 feet) in height. The self-fertilizing flowers are white or a shade of purple. Seeds can be yellow, green, brown, black, or bicoloured, though most commercial varieties have brown or tan seeds, with one to four seeds per pod. In the United States the majority of soybean crops are genetically modified for resistance to the herbicide glyphosate. The soybean may be cultivated in most types of soil, but it thrives in warm, fertile, well-drained, sandy loam. The crop is planted after all danger of frost is past. Soybeans are usually harvested mechanically, after the leaves have fallen off the plant and the moisture content of the seed has dropped to 13 percent, permitting safe storage. Like other legumes, the plant adds nitrogen to the soil by means of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and historically has been an important soil-enriching crop, though this practice is not common in most industrial agriculture systems.

soybean field
soybean field

Field of soybeans (Glycine max) on a farm in Oklahoma, U.S.

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The soybean is one of the richest and cheapest sources of protein and is a staple in the diets of people and animals in numerous parts of the world. The seed contains 17 percent oil and 63 percent meal, 50 percent of which is protein. Because soybeans contain no starch, they are a good source of protein for diabetics. In East Asia the bean is extensively consumed in the forms of soy milk, a whitish liquid suspension, and tofu, a curd somewhat resembling cottage cheese. Soybeans are also sprouted for use as a salad ingredient or as a vegetable and may be eaten roasted as a snack food. Young soybeans, known as edamame, are commonly steamed or boiled and eaten directly from the pod. Soy sauce, a salty brown liquid, is produced from crushed soybeans and wheat that undergo yeast fermentation in salt water for six months to a year or more; it is a ubiquitous ingredient in Asian cooking. Other fermented soy foods include tempeh, miso, and fermented bean paste.

Making tofu, China.
Making tofu, China.

© Michael S. Yamashita/Corbis

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Modern research has led to a remarkable variety of uses for the soybean. Its oil can be processed into margarine, shortening, and vegetarian cheeses. Industrially, the oil is used as an ingredient in paints, adhesives, fertilizers, sizing for cloth, linoleum backing, and fire-extinguisher fluids, among other products. Soybean meal serves as a high-protein meat substitute in many food products, including baby foods and vegetarian foods, and can be imparted with a meatlike texture for increasing the cooked yield of ground meats.

October 29, 2020

How To Grow Raw Groundnuts

Post By MANUFACTURING BV Blog 8 Comments
8 Tasty Uses for Raw Redskin Peanuts

Raw Peanuts are for more than just peanut butter!

Often underappreciated, the raw redskin peanut is a surprisingly versatile legume! Yes, you read that right, peanuts aren’t actually nuts since they grow below ground. This also makes them more sustainable: they require much less water than their vogue cousin, almonds. Peanuts take 5 gallons an ounce compared to 80 gallons per ounce of almonds. Before we get into uses for the mighty peanut, let’s take a minute to discuss the health benefits of peanuts, something they don’t often get credit for.

The skins of redskin peanuts are high in fiber and contain reservatrol, the same antioxidant found in red wine. Additionally, for the non-childbearing peanut lover there is evidence to support that peanuts help to prevent heart disease. With a single handful of peanuts a day, Virginia Peanuts provide essential minerals and vitamins that specifically target heart health. Another nice thing about raw peanuts is that compared to other healthy “nuts” they’re, well, cheaper. Harvard researchers found that peanuts are cheaper than any other heart healthy nut, allowing lower-income consumers to receive the heart health benefits of other, more expensive nuts. Sustainable and healthy, peanuts often don’t get the credit they deserve! To showcase the versatility of our favorite legume, we’ve put together a list of 8 tasty uses for raw redskin peanuts.

Before we get started, we should note that while all of Royal Oak’s peanuts are inspected by the USDA, they are still raw, and therefore may contain bacteria that if not cooked properly could cause illness. For your protection and enjoyment, always cook raw peanuts prior to consumption. According to a 2009 study by the USDA, roasting peanuts can also increase the amount of antioxidants in them, so it’s a win-win.

  1. Roast Them– Roast your own raw redskin peanuts for a delicious, healthy snack. Roasted peanuts can be used in any of the following suggestions, and make for a tasty snack all on their own. Add a little salt for standard use, or get creative with your spices for something more exciting. Here’s a simple recipe for roasting raw peanuts:
    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
    • Place your peanuts one layer deep in a shallow baking pan.
    • Roast for about 15-20 minutes, removing from the oven just before they’re done, as peanuts continue to cook as they cool.
    • Season to taste and enjoy!
    • CAUTION: THE PAN AND PEANUTS WILL BE VERY HOT!
  2. Create Your Own Healthy Peanut Butter– All you have to do is toss your freshly roasted peanuts in a food processor, add a little sweetness (honey tastes great) and salt as you see fit, and grind them up until they’re smooth (or chunky, if you prefer). Homemade peanut butter doesn’t have the added sugars or preservatives like the store bought stuff, plus it tastes amazing- you have to try it yourself.
  3. Add Some Protein to Your Favorite Salad– For a boost of healthy protein, add a handful of virginia peanuts to your favorite salad. Peanuts have more protein than any other nut!
  4. Peanut Hummus– We might have surprised you with this one, but we weren’t kidding when we said raw peanuts were versatile! Showing off the legume side of their nature, you can make delicious homemade peanut hummus. Follow the link to find a recipe for a cajun spiced hummus that will knock your socks off.
  5. Up the Protein Content of Soup– Just like with salad, toss a handful of roasted redskin peanuts into any soup for a boost of tasty protein. They’re especially good in Asian-inspired soups. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be soup. Making a dish of Pad Thai? Crush some peanuts and sprinkle them on top for that authentic Thai flavor.
  6. Make Your own Healthy Trail Mix– Leave out the candy and mix up your own trail mix with redskin peanuts, raisins, or any other dried fruits you like.
  7. Great in Granola– raw peanuts are great in homemade granola- just roast them with oats and add them to your favorite yogurt and you have a delicious, healthy breakfast. Here is one of our favorite peanut granola recipes.
  8. Backyard Buddies– Not only are they great as a human snack, raw redskin peanuts are great, nutritional snacks for birds and squirrels. Load your bird feeder with your leftover peanuts and make your neighborhood animals that much happier.

If you thought peanut butter was all you could use raw peanuts for, think again! Raw redskin peanuts can be used for so much more than we were able to include on this list. If you find a use for them you love, feel free to share it with us. In addition to growing them, we love to hear how our customers use Virginia Peanuts in their day-to-day lives, so feel free to reach out if you have ideas or are looking to purchase raw redskin peanuts for yourself. Shop for a wide range of peanut products, from raw virginia redskin peanuts to roasted Southern Heat Virginia Peanuts in the Hope and Harmony Farms online store.