Ruminant feedstuffs and their production

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. The process has the further advantage that any mycotoxins present in the nutritional material are substantially detoxified by the combined action of the high temperature and the fatty acid and base, e.g. calcium oxide, preferably used.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.