Abstract: This invention provides a process for the preparation of a ruminant dietary product comprising a blend of fatty acid salt and denatured protein. In the process, whole proteinaceous oilseed in particulate form is treated with a basic alkaline earth metal compound. The oil content of the oilseed is saponified to a fatty acid salt, and the protein content is denatured into a water-insoluble form. The fatty acid salt and denatured protein ingredients of the invention ruminant dietary product have rumen-bypass properties, and are metabolized in the post-rumen digestive tract under ruminant feeding conditions.

Abstract: A ruminant feedstuff comprises, in admixture, one or more edible, water-insoluble calcium or magnesium fatty acid salts and animal or vegetable protein nutritional material, the protein material having been converted during formation of the fatty acid salt into a form which is substantially non-degradable in the rumen but which is digestible in the lower gut. This feedstuff may be obtained by forming a substantially homogeneous mixture of animal or vegetable protein nutritional material, one or more fatty acids, suitably in liquid form, and a calcium or magnesium compound capable of forming an edible water-insoluble salt with the fatty acid under the conditions employed, initiating reaction of the fatty acid(s) and calcium or magnesium compound, suitably by raising the temperature of the ingredients e.g. by injection of steam into the substantially homogeneous mixture formed, maintaining the mixture at elevated temperature, e.g. 110.degree. to 115.degree. C., and then cooling the product.