NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) senior principal research scientist, David Hopkins, said Ms Alvarenga won a scholarship from Brazil to study sheep in Australia and will spend the next six months analysing data in Cowra.

"Ms Alvarenga is providing valuable input into work we are conducting to boost omega-3 levels in Australian sheep," Dr Hopkins said.

"Pasture fed lamb has high levels of omega-3 and recent studies have shown we can lift levels in grain fed animals by using marine algae supplements.

"We want to know if there are existing genes which predispose sheep on grain and algae rations to produce higher levels of omega-3."

Ms Alvarenga said her study is a positive exchange of information between Brazil and Australia.

Ms Alvarenga is a doctoral candidate from Federal University of Lavras, Brazil. She is studying in Australia with a Capes-Brazil scholarship.

"In Brazil the main focus is on beef and pork production, but my interest is in sheep and I grabbed the opportunity to work with DPI scientists to focus on lamb production," she said.

"I am using RNA data, which may provide a more accurate measurement than DNA, to uncover any genetic links which could indicate which lambs are likely to produce higher levels of omega-3 when fed grain and algae.

"The first part of the study was conducted at the DPI's Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, where I took laboratory samples of lambs fed grain and algae rations and compared them with a control group which was fed just the grain.

"We hope to uncover the genes which allow lambs to metabolise higher levels of omega-3."

Ms Alvarenga is also using the experience to explore Australian culture and enhance her spoken and written English skills.