Newly elected Irish Farmers' Association President Joe Healy has said that he has received a great mandate from the farmers of Ireland and that he is delighted with the result.
Speaking on RTÉ 's Six One Mr Healy that he would like to start tackling the issue of farm incomes, adding that farmers' margins have been deteriorating over the last number of years.
The Athenry farmer won 50% of votes and was elected on the first count.
IFA Livestock Chairman Henry Burns came in second place with 30% of the counted votes.
Flor McCarthy, from Kenmare, Co Kerry was in third place with 19%.
Mr Healy said that the appointment of a new chief executive is crucial.
He said a remuneration committee is to decide on the salary for the president and chief executive, saying farmers want more transparency to rebuild their trust in the organisation.
Fields of Athenry rings out as Joe Healy is elected IFA President #IFAElection pic.twitter.com/RZyU37IyZx
— Irish Farmers' Assoc (@IFAmedia) April 19, 2016
In a statement Taoiseach Enda Kenny congratulated Mr Healy on his appointment saying "Our agricultural industry is a key driver of our economy and is crucial to our ongoing recovery.
"As an Athenry based farmer himself, Joe is well placed to represent the industry and I wish him well in his new role".
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney also issued a statement congratulating Mr Healy on his win.
He said the IFA provides a strong representation for farmers across Ireland and that he always enjoyed "a good working relationship with the IFA and I look forward to continuing this with Joe".
Many observers have suggested that farmers have voted for a very significant changing of the guard at the top of the association.
Meanwhile, Richard Kennedy was elected as deputy president, ahead of Pat Farrell and Nigel Renaghan.
It's a great honour for me to be elected IFA Deputy President, says Richard Kennedy #IFAElection pic.twitter.com/j173yiUBvj
— Irish Farmers' Assoc (@IFAmedia) April 19, 2016
John Coughlan was elected Munster chairperson, ahead of John O'Brien in second place.
Voter turnout for this election appears to be down substantially on the election of former IFA president Eddie Downey three years ago.
On that occasion over 32,000 farmers cast their votes, but on this occasion it was closer to 28,000.
Mr Healy is the 15th IFA president, replacing Mr Downey, who resigned almost five months ago over revelations of high pay at the top of the farm organisation.
The election took place over a ten-day period earlier this month and the result is expected to be announced this evening after the count at the Castleknock Hotel in Dublin.
Just over 75,000 farmers from the 947 IFA branches all over the country were eligible to vote.
The new IFA leader will have to heal the wounds caused by last November's pay revelations and unite farmers, thousands of whom have let their IFA memberships lapse in disgust.
Mr Healy will also have to restore credibility to an organisation that has been badly damaged by a self-inflicted crisis.
This will have to be done while delivering better, more secure and less volatile farm income, which is the number one issue for most farmers.
