Irish Farmers' Association members begin voting tonight for a new president after one of the most closely fought contests in recent years. Outgoing president Mr John Donnelly has led the IFA for the past four years. Seeking the position are the IFA deputy president Mr Michael Slattery from Tipperary and Mr Tom Parlon, from Co Offaly, a former deputy president and the defeated candidate in the last presidential race.
Even insiders at the IFA headquarters in Bluebell Road, Dublin, cannot predict the outcome of a contest that involves the membership voting at its 925 branches over the next 10 days.
IFA electoral contests have a tradition of their own.
No deputy president has ever been elected directly from that position and if this is to continue to be the case, Mr Slattery's challenge is doomed.
On the other hand, Mr Parlon wants to become the first nondairy farmer to lead the 85,000strong organisation. He is a suckler cow, sheep and pig producer.
Mr Slattery, from Rossmore, Co Tipperary, is a well-known dairy farmer and has been chairman of the IFA's national dairy committee, so his credentials in what is known as "the white gold" business are well established.
Mr Parlon, who was born on a dairy farm at Coolderry, Co Offaly, has a strong profile in the organisation and organised the sheep protest at Agriculture House in Dublin, when sheep were driven into the Department headquarters.
While the general public and civil servants, in particular, were upset by this action, most farmers supported it and have no problem with such protests.
The electorate will be weighing up the advantages of having such a hands-on approach to dealing with officialdom compared with Mr Slattery's more genteel approach. He is an impressive orator and enjoys whipping up the troops at a public protest.
Both men have done impressive work for the IFA and are well known and respected by farmers.
A straw poll of farmers in the midlands and west last week showed the men were neck-and-neck, with most farmers respecting and liking both.
One said both men had sat in his kitchen dealing with various problems faced by himself and his neighbours.
"The truth is that it is a terrible shame that they are running against each other.
"I am going to toss a coin to make my decision and I know others will do the same thing," he said.
Mr Parlon has foreseen such a dilemma and has gone on record as saying that if he fails to make it this time, he will have no further role in the IFA.
As far as policies go, little divides the two men. It is really a matter of emphasis in the race for Bluebell.
The contenders know that the next four years will be difficult for an IFA president.
Agriculture appears to be going into a period of decline and a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and a new World Trade Agreement will hasten the flight from the land.
The race for deputy president this year is interesting. Mr John Dillon, a Limerick sheep and suckler farmer, is seeking the job.
He is being challenged by Mr Richard Booth, a beef farmer from the Heath, Portlaoise, who has been prominent as former chairman of the IFA beef committee during the BSE crisis of 1996.
While Queensberry rules have been operating in the presidential race, it is bare-knuckle fighting for the No 2 job.