The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association, Mr Frank Allen, is to face a challenge to his leadership of the second-largest farm organisation in the State.
At the annual general meeting in Limerick Mr Allen said he was "very disappointed" that the challenge was coming from the deputy president, Mr Pat O'Rourke.
"I will face any challenge that comes my way and I will win," said Mr Allen, who has led the organisation for the past four years and is seeking a further two-year term.
Mr O'Rourke, who is Longford-based, said he would formally declare his candidacy when the date of the next national council meeting was held next month. "There is a serious crisis out there in farming and farmers are demanding action," he said.
Mr Allen said he felt he was doing a good job in leading the organisation and he would continue to do a good job.
The ICMSA president is elected by the national council, which has 60 members, and Mr Allen said he had majority support in the council.
When he addressed the conference on Friday, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he was concerned at the lack of young people coming into farming and he would look at schemes and incentives to keep people on the land.
Later, at a press conference, Mr Ahern indicated there would be changes in the functions and responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture and Food.
He said some areas already had experienced change, such as rural development, and a Cabinet subcommittee was being established.
In his presidential address to the delegates, Mr Allen said that by 2007, farmers would face a 15 per cent drop in income compared to 1998. "The Agenda 2000 Agreement means that the only way to increase real farm income is by reducing the number of farmers."