Farmers are gearing up for a change in leadership later this year

Federated Farmers President, Katie Milne, is standing down from the job in June.

She says deputy president, Andrew Hoggard, may be a strong contender.

Milne says he's keen as mustard and has the economic and farming background to make things happen.

She says he calls a spade a spade, so everyone can understand things in plain English.