Graduate brings passion for farming
Rhys Dawson will join Perrin Ag in 2025 as the firm’s newest graduate recruit, bringing a passion for inter-generational agribusiness and sustainable farming.
Alyssa Brazendale will start in early 2026 as the newest consultant at the Rotorua-based firm of agribusiness advisors.
Brazendale will soom complete her Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, building on the valuable knowledge and passion that she gathered growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Halcombe, in Manawatu.
"Those early experiences on the farm really sparked an affinity with the rural community and sustainable farming practices that I'm sure will stay with me forever," says Brazendale.
She is excited to work with farmers to help them achieve their goals, make confident decisions, and support both profitability and sustainability on their farms.
"During my studies, I developed a particular interest in feed and nutrient budgeting, so that's something I'm keen to build on, developing the tools to help farmers tackle their issues in that area."
Brazendale is also watching new innovations in the tech space with interest.
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"Virtual fencing is amazing in how that's been developing. It's largely in the dairy sector at the moment, but it will be interesting to see if it can be incorporated more in the sheep and beef industry, particularly if the technology can evolve to cope with the challenges of terrain and possible outages in remote areas."
Outside of work, Brazendale is passionate about staying fit, from going to the gym and playing hockey to enjoying being outdoors for long walks or runs.
"I love exploring new parts of New Zealand, and I enjoy travelling whenever I can to experience new places and cultures, so I'm looking forward to seeing farm operations in different regions and meeting new people."
She found the rigorous selection process enlightening.
"There was a lot around learning about myself and how my personality would fit in within their workplace, which was reassuring," she says.
Lee Matheson, managing director of Perrin Ag, said of the new appointment: "Alyssa's strong communication and problem-solving skills, along with her passion for sustainable farming, make her a perfect fit for Perrin Ag."
Perrin Ag, which is celebrating 25 years in business this year, has been running its formal Empower programme since 2019, with graduates benefiting from the mentorship of highly regarded rural professionals, advising on a diverse range of farm issues across all sectors of New Zealand's primary industry.
"This programme continues to bring us talented graduates eager to make a positive impact," says Lee.
