The aim of this study was to identify Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle from lambs with high IMF content (≥3%) using wool FA. The FA composition was characterized in two sections of wool from Suffolk Down lambs, and its relationship with IMF content assessed. One hundred and forty lambs of similar body weight, body condition score, and age were selected. IMF content from LL muscle, and the wool fat and FA composition of the wool were determined. The proportions of FAs in the wool of lambs with low IMF were 51.96 ± 7.3% of saturated, 31.96 ± 7.7% polyunsaturated, and 16.08 ± 2.3% monounsaturated. Similar proportions of FAs were observed in wool samples of lambs with high IMF. Significant differences were found only in the SFA proportion between groups (p < 0.05). The predominant FAs in the wool samples were C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1n9c and C18:2n6c, representing over 60% of total FA methyl esters. Correlations were found between the wool FAs C16:1, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1n9c, C24:0, and C22:6n3 in wool samples divided into two sections. Discriminant analysis identified SFAs, particularly FAs C22:0 and C24:0, as potential candidate for predicting lambs with high IMF content with an accuracy of over 92%. These results provide to our knowledge evidence that IMF content could potentially be determined using wool FAs as a non-invasive method.

The identification of higher fat content in ewe milk during lactation can help to improve the nutritional value and quality of the derived dairy products. In this study, we characterized fatty acids from the wool of Suffolk ewes at two time points during lactation and assessed whether they were related to milk fat content through discriminant analysis and, thus, could be potentially used to identify ewes with a high fat content. Eighty single-bearing Suffolk ewes of similar body weight, body score, and age were selected for this study. The overall fat contents of milk and wool were determined, as well as the fatty acids in the wool. The wool fat content was 1.14% on average. The proportions of wool fatty acids were 65.82% saturated, 21.70% monounsaturated, and 12.48% polyunsaturated fatty acids. The wool fatty acid concentrations of C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C22:2 were higher in ewes whose milk had a high fat content at both time points. Moreover, the levels of these fatty acids were positively correlated with milk fat content. Discriminant analyses using C18:1n9c and C18:2n6c were the best candidates for the prediction of high milk fat content, with an accuracy of 87.50%. The wool fatty acids C18:1n9c and C18:2n6c could potentially be used to determine the milk fat content of ewes.

Alternative forages, such as plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and chicory (Cichorium intybus), show potential to improve ruminant nutrition while reducing environmental impacts; however, their influence on rumen function remains insufficiently defined. Using eight RUSITEC fermenters (two vessels per treatment per run, across two independent runs; n = 4 fermenter replicates per treatment overall), plantain (PL), chicory (CHI), a plantain–chicory mixture (PCH), and a grass-based sward (GBS) were incubated for a 10-day adaptation period followed by a 5-day sampling period to assess nutrient digestibility, fermentation, methane (CH₄) production, and microbial composition. PL resulted in the lowest CH₄ emissions (4.13%) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃–N; 5.92 mg/day), whereas CHI achieved the highest dry matter digestibility (77.2%) but also the highest CH₄ emissions (5.55%). PCH presented intermediate CH₄ levels (4.52%), showing efficient nutrient use, while GBS and CHI achieved the highest NDF disappearance (NDFomd: 49.0% and 50.9%, respectively). Bacterial diversity (Shannon index) was lower in PL (1.71) than in CHI (4.25) and GBS (4.23), with PCH being intermediate (3.47). These findings support PL and PCH as promising dietary options to enhance rumen efficiency and reduce methane and nitrogen emissions. In vivo validation is recommended.