The last lap on the long and winding road of the hustings gave evidence to one fact.

Whoever becomes the next president of the IFA will not be found wanting for energy or endurance.

Following an exhausting schedule of 17 debates over four weeks, stretching from Enniscorthy up to Letterkenny, from Carrickmacross down to Tralee, every corner of Ireland has heard from John Coughlan, Tim Cullinan and Angus Woods (alphabetical order folks).

The schedule has been even more gruelling than that appears, because the day before the night debates is spent canvassing and courting support across the 945 IFA branches that each comprise their own constituencies.

And on Friday evening last, the three of them travelled to the Irish Farmers Journal offices for one last tilt at the issues.

For two hours, they worked their way through beef prices, CAP, climate change, bobby calves and all the other issues concerning Irish farming.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing is how themselves they still are, despite listening to each other night after night.

Tim Cullinan (I will rotate the order each time I mention them) is still critical and frustrated with IFA, Angus Woods is clear-thinking and cogent, John Coughlan capable and confident. All three have made their case and offer different perspectives and qualities. All three are impressive and committed.

How to vote

And now those 945 branches begin to vote. Seventy-three meet on Monday 25 November, and so it will continue for the next three weeks.

The voting system changed for the last election. One member, one vote replaces the complicated but utterly fascinating branch proportional representation.

It makes the process simple. At your local branch AGM, you will be given a voting ballot. Simply vote No 1 for the candidate of your choice. Then put a No 2 beside your second preference. This is important. It's hard to see any of the three candidates receiving over half the first preferences, so second preferences are likely to prove decisive.

As there are only two candidates for the deputy presidency, Thomas Cooney and Brian Rushe are simply looking for your first preferences. Whichever of them gets most No 1s will win that contest.

Where to vote?

This is pretty simple. All 72,000 IFA members will receive a notice of their local AGM. That is where you vote, so it's important to remember the date. You can't simply wander into any IFA branch and vote. If the letter has been lost or binned, check out the current Irish Farmers Journal for a full list of branch AGMs.

Why vote?

With all the splits and splintering among farmers in recent months, it would be easy to think that this election doesn’t matter and that voting in it doesn’t matter.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

It’s vital for Irish farmers that this election, which has seen a vigorous debate take place, now sees a good turnout and a strong vote.

Why? Well, despite all the criticism that is levelled against it, the IFA still does an awful lot well.

It presents a composed and coherent argument in favour of Ireland continuing to produce food for domestic consumption and for export. It argues that farmers are entitled to a fair price for their produce and also for support in schemes and direct payments to underpin this production and to guarantee the social contract - that this food is produced in a way that is ethically sound and holds the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental protection and enhancement.

This is a challenging role, both domestically and in Brussels. Some want to shut all animal farming down, some want to wind it back to post-war pre-technological production.

Having our farm organisations put our best arguments across is essential. Having a flagship organisation that represents all farmers, but always the family farm model, is to the benefit of all.

The IFA has the resources, the reputation and the reach to fulfil that role. So whether you support Tim Cullinan, Angus Woods or John Coughlan, go and vote and add your voice to the mandate the next IFA president will have.

Do it even if you are a member of Beef Plan, or INHFA, or the Independent Farmers, or the Irish Grain Growers. Many are long-standing members of both the IFA and the ICMSA or the ICSA depending on whether they are drystock or dairy.

Voting won't weaken your other farm organisation, this is not Strictly or I'm a Celebrity. No-one is being voted off the stage.

Remember, because of the one member one vote, your vote counts. Even if you only joined last month, your vote will carry the same weight as that of Joe Healy.

If you don't know who to vote for, why not watch the three candidates in action here.