The deputy president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Tim O'Leary, has confirmed to Newstalk that he will contest the election for the job of president of the organisation.
It follows the resignation of Eddie Downey as president last night - amid ongoing controversy over the pay high level members receive.
Farmers will elect a new president after the executive council gave members the go ahead to proceed with an election.
The association will also launch a legal challenge to the €2m severance package given to former General-Secretary Pat Smith.
However, questions are being raised about the ability of the IFA to hold a presidential election in 60 days.
But Mr O'Leary told Newstalk Lunchtime he is confident that will happen.
News correspondent with The Irish Farmers Journal, Pat O'Toole told Newstalk's Pat Kenny Show that the IFA's election process is a lengthy one.
"There's 947 branches around the country, in every parish. Each branch effectively becomes a mini constituency. Each branch votes, the votes are sealed, they are brought up to Dublin. So putting that together with no notice is a huge logistical problem for an organisation that, remember, is reeling at the moment."
Last night the IFA's Executive Council gave the go-ahead to elect a new president after the resignation of Eddie Downey.
The IFA said it was one of a number of decisions taken unanimously in the best interests of farmers after a 17 hour long meeting broke up at around 4.30am this morning.
The executive council also ratified a review of pay and pensions to be carried out by Con Lucey, with a report due on December 15th.
Regional reaction
The Carlow Chairman of the Irish Farmers Associations says he will consider running for the job of president of the organisation.
Derek Deane says the sooner the election is held the sooner the organisation can move on from the controversy, and he says he is not ruling himself out of the running:
"I haven't decided and I would certainly like to discuss it with my wife and my family, my local branch and my local county and make my decision then".
Chairperson of the Clare IFA branch, Andrew Dundas, says his members are very angry.
"It is certainly a tough time for the whole organisation and in particularly for Eddie Downey who resigned".
"Still a lot of bad information on the Association side coming out with what is an outlandish severance package for Pat Smith," he added.
West Cork-based County Councillor and farmer Declan Hurley - who was never a member of the IFA - told C103's Cork Today programme that the financial revelations are horrific.
He says the IFA did not support farmers during the fodder crisis of 2013 and it cost more than animal lives.
"I am speechless and horrified and dismayed to think this was going on when members were on their knees scavenging, collecting scraps when the IFA top cats were licking the cream at the top table. When I think what was lost in animal life, and I have to say, unfortunately human life".
