Agriculture Technology & Mechanical Systems

State Ag Technologies & Mechanical Systems

This contest will NOT run in 2026 due to lack of contest superintendent. If you are interested in running this contest contact the contest coordinator. 

The Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Career Development Event (CDE) challenges participants to apply a “systems approach,” understanding how solving one problem can affect other components of a system. Through hands-on and analytical activities, students evaluate, troubleshoot, and improve agricultural technologies and mechanical systems. This event prepares students for careers in agricultural mechanics, engineering, and technology by emphasizing critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. 

Number of Teams: 

• This contest is capped at the first 20 schools to register. One team per school.

Scantron

• Judging Card Universal Form E #705E-1

Description of the Contest:  

• The contest will test students’ mechanical abilities in many different areas. The goal of this event is to develop students’ skills in observation, analysis, calculations, troubleshooting, and cooperation. Students will be provided with an opportunity to apply knowledge in the following areas:

1. DC Electrical 

2. Harvest Losses

3. Planter Performance and Stand Counts

4. Engines - Gas and Diesel

5. Hydraulics

6. Sprayers

7. Pulley, Gear, and Sprocket Ratios

8. Tool ID

• The contest will consist of:

Individual Activity

1. Written Exam (40 minutes)

• 25 multiple-choice questions (2 points each). 

• Topics will vary from the description above. 

• No resources or team collaboration. 

2. Lab Station (40 minutes)

• 50 multiple-choice questions that will identify components. 

• Topics will vary from the description above. 

• No resources or team collaboration. 

Team Activity

1. Teams Skills Practicum (40 minutes) 

• Participants will compete as a team to solve an integrated problem(s) associated with the theme selected for the event.

• The team will have the freedom to use any and all information, organize themselves to solve the problem in their own way (work together or delegate), and determine how they will put their solutions together. 

• This will include topics from the description above. 

Contest Scoring 

• Individual Contest Scoring will be determined by the sum of the Written Test, Lab Station, and Team Skills Practicum scores. In the event of a tie, the highest Written Test score will be used as the tiebreaker. If a tie still remains, the combined highest scores from the Written Test and Lab Station will be used to break it. 

• Team Contest Scoring will be determined by tabulating the three highest scores of contestants in the Written Exam, Lab Station, and Team Event. In the event of a tie, the combined written score will be used to break the tie. If a tie still remains, the team with the highest-place individual will be used to break the tie. 

Special Requirements:

• Individuals are expected to bring their own safety glasses, manual calculator, sharpened #2 pencils, paper, and clipboard free of notes and other markings.