Dean Turner, Lang Lang - August // 2025 Mental Health Calendar

Dean Turner: From Bobcats to Bovines

Dean Turner, a first-generation dairy farmer from Lang Lang, has made his mark in the dairy industry, forging a path that’s anything but typical. Now leasing a farm in Yannathan and milking 200 cows, Dean proudly calls himself a "metropolitan dairy farmer," living off the farm with his wife, Bek, and their three kids, aged 16,12 and 10. 

Dean’s connection to farm life began with childhood visits to his mates’ farms. After leaving school in Year 8, he jumped into physical work as a laborer for a small bobcat excavation business, eventually becoming an operator. But when a knee injury sidelined him and required surgery, he took up a part-time milking job at Don Campbell’s farm. Seven weeks into the role, tragedy struck when Don died in a car accident. Thrown in at the deep end, Dean’s future in dairy farming was sealed. “If that hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t be dairy farming 25 years later,” he reflects. 

Dean’s real start in dairy farming came in 1998 when he joined Noel and Ann Campbell as a farmhand. He worked his way up, taking on more responsibility until he moved into share farming in 2012. By 2017, Dean and the Campbells had entered into an equity partnership.

The 2016 dairy crisis hit hard, and Dean vividly recalls the stress of that time. “I didn’t eat or sleep for 10 days once I realised what it meant for my business,” losing a kilo a day. But thanks to the support of the Campbells, Dean managed to pull through, and he’s forever grateful for their backing during those dark days. 

Five years ago, Dean decided to downsize and lease his current farm in Yannathan. While farming’s been a rollercoaster of challenges and rewards, Dean’s still got the drive to keep pushing forward. Looking back, he admits there’ve been times he’s questioned it all, but when he steps back, he’s proud of how far he’s come. 

Dean also plays a key role in the industry as a farmer representative with the Fonterra Australia supplier council, giving a voice to dairy farmers in the wider conversation. 

When he’s not on the farm, Dean loves a bit of fishing and camping, though finding time for it can be a struggle. Footy is a big part of his life, too. “We milk early every Saturday so we can get to the footy,” he says. While he’s hung up his boots, Dean stays involved by coaching and finds that the Lang Lang footy club keeps him connected to his community.  

Meet Dean and you’ll see he’s a natural communicator, he’d be ‘that’ bloke telling the yarns around the campfire. Known for his stories, sense of humour, and encouragement of young farmers, Dean Turner is a wonderful switched on farmer who’s "having a crack," and ain’t afraid of hard work.