Students in the Agricultural Mechanics and Welding programs at Champion High School have built a mobile dipping vat semi-trailer designed to help fight threats to the nation’s cattle industry.
Under instructor Dorman Vick, students recently completed the 2,200-gallon unit, built to help fight the New World screwworm and fever ticks, two biosecurity threats to livestock.
The project used 331 pages of computer- aided design blueprints and five documentation binders. The semitrailer includes a heavy-duty chute and tub system to process livestock while administering treatments.
Champion’s Agricultural Mechanics program is believed to be the only high school program in the nation to complete federal and state government- commissioned builds in response to active biosecurity concerns in the cattle industry, according to program officials.
Champion High School ag welding students stand by “ T-REX,” the mobile dipping vat they built that is now being used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its ongoing battle to eradicate the New World screwworm.
Courtesy photo Senior Avery Konieczny is among the student leaders on the project. He plans to enter the skilled trades workforce after graduation and wants to eventually own his own company.
“With a superior work ethic and tremendous talent, Avery has led by example,” Vick said. “His ’get it done’ mentality has played a major role in bringing projects like the T-REX and the mobile dipping vat to completion.”
“Man, it’s awesome to see kids have vision, direction and passion for building something bigger than themselves,” Vick said.
In April, at the groundbreaking of a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s $750 million domestic sterile fly production facility in McAllen, Ag Department Secretary Brooke Rollins praised Vick and the Champion students who created the mobile dipping vat, dubbed “The T-REX.”
“What they have done, and what they have built ... I think it’s especially timely as we’re breaking ground on the unprecedented project to eradicate the new world screwworm,” Rollins said. “What they have built continues an amazing partnership, an amazing opportunity to work together as a community with these incredible vocational ag FFA students.” “We want to honor them and elevate them and especially their incredible ag teacher, Mr. Vick,” she said. “His relentless commitment to the future of farming ... and the effort he puts in every day is the best representation.”
The Champion ag welding students will haul the T-REX from McAllen to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the July 4 activities there.
Champion High School ag welding students stand on “ T-REX,” the mobile dipping vat they built that is now being used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its ongoing battle to eradicate the New World screwworm.
Courtesy photo
Comment
Comments