The fourth year Animal Science Student (Honours) at Charles Sturt University in Wagga already has plans to undertake a research project looking at how a legume called biserrula can increase weight gain in stock as part of a phD project.

Growing up on a prime lamb property at Cumnock was enough to capture Miss Watt's interest in agriculture. Her father, Andrew Watt is a successful biological agronomist and encouraged her to ask searching questions about agriculture from an early age.

Earlier this year Miss Watt spent two months at the WK Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) at Michigan State University (MSU) as a dairy research intern.

"My research has investigated the variability of rumination within individual cows, which may provide a valuable insight into the physiological differences between animals," she said.

"Understanding this could help farmers optimise feed management strategies to reduce the cost of production, improve milk production and maximise on-farm efficiency," Miss Watt said.

In 2012 Miss Watt was the winner of The Rural newspaper scholarship worth $1000.