Abstract: A method for the preparation of fatty acid calcium salt products in which an admixture is formed of reactive ingredients consisting of (a) a C10-C22 fatty acid mixture having greater than about 45 weight% of the C10-C22 fatty acid content in the form of fatty acid glycerides, and (b) from about 10 to about 30% of the total admixture weight of calcium oxide. Water is then added to the admixture in an amount between about 10% and about 100% by weight relative to the amount of calcium oxide; and the admixture is then heated to a temperature at which the fatty acid glycerides saponify to form fatty acid calcium salts. Rumen bypass feed supplements are also disclosed, as well as ruminant feeds containing the feed supplements and processes for supplying the feed supplements to ruminant animals.