The Farm Progress Show will be held in Boone, Iowa, on Aug. 28-30. See FarmProgressShow.com for more information.

Who doesn't love an auction? Every year at the Farm Progress Show since 1996, Titan International has conducted a charity auction that supports FFA chapters. The program, which started at the Farm Progress Show, has spread to other major farm shows around the country. And the tradition continues at the 2018 Farm Progress Show.

"FFA is a great leadership program, and it fits right in with our industry and our program here at the show," says Scott Sloan, agricultural product manager, Titan International. "To be honest, we're working with future farmers who eventually could be our customers, too."

Titan commits to bring an inventory of tires to each farm show. Sloan admits that the program is a little smaller for 2018 with a softer ag economy, but the company does contribute a range of tires to the auction — from all-terrain/utility vehicle sizes, to golf car tires, to those for mid-range and even larger tractors.

This is an open bidding process, and all the proceeds go to that state's FFA program. In Iowa, Josh Remington, executive director, Iowa FFA, notes that this program provides important funds to the organization. "These funds are used for leadership training, we're working to train the next generation of agricultural leaders," he says.

The auction supports FFA, but during the show is also supported by FFA, as chapter members from around the state promote the event and work the auction at the show. This partnership is paying off. Titan reported in 2017 that the company raised $121,580 for FFA chapters from its farm show tire auction program.

And for 2018, there's an opportunity for tire buyers to help out again. The program offers buyers the chance to get a pretty good deal on the tires, but at FPS there's a different incentive this year.

The Top FFA auction bidder will receive an additional $1,000 rebate redeemable for Titan and Goodyear Farm Tire purchases. It's an incentive to bid up for those tires at the show.

In addition, $2,000 in booth tire rebate certificated will be awarded daily at the three-day show.

Ride 'n' drive
Titan continues to promote its low sidewall technology to farmers. The best way to do that, Sloan says, is to put them in the seat of a machine outfitted with a tire-wheel combination. "We started doing Ride 'n' Drives in Decatur several years ago," Sloan says. "And now I think people look forward to it."

In the beginning, farmers checking out that demonstration were more curious about the tire technology and how it might work in-field and on the road. Today, Sloan says visitors to that demonstration area are more serious about the technology.

"The conversations we're having now aren't so much about what it is, but more about answering questions like, ‘Will it fit my tractor?' " he says. "We have 450 different wheel and tire combinations from compact utility tractors to articulated four-wheel drive machines."

A visit to Titan International offers a two-fold opportunity. The first would be to attend the tire auction for a deal on tires that also helps the state FFA chapter. The second is a visit to the Ride 'n' Drive area to see Titan's technology at work.