RodeoHouston’s Agricultural Mechanics Trailer Build-Off
HOUSTON — Sparks will fly — literally — as some of Texas’ most talented young builders put their skills to the test Thursday at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Agricultural Mechanics Trailer Build-Off Contest.
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From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pavilion on 11645 Almeda Road, 20 teams from 4-H and FFA chapters across the state will face off in an eight-hour metal-fabricating challenge, competing for a share of $90,000 in prizes. Each team of four will design and build a small utility trailer on-site, judged on blueprint accuracy, weld quality, craftsmanship and timeliness.
The hands-on contest bridges classroom training and real-world industry experience, connecting agricultural mechanics programs with the welding and fabrication trade. The awards ceremony at for the event takes place at 5:30 p.m.
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Teams will take their trailers home to complete final fittings before returning to RodeoHouston’s Agricultural Mechanics Project Show in March, where they can compete again in a specialized class.
Since its founding in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has donated more than $630 million to Texas youth and education. The 2026 Rodeo runs March 2 to March 22, with the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest scheduled for Feb. 26 through Feb. 28.
