Center pivot irrigation is a method of crop irrigation in which equipment rotates around a pivot.The pivot naturally irrigates a circular area, often creating a circular pattern in crops whenviewed from above.
Based on type of crops, available water, and soil conditions, irrigators may choose to plant a crop circle uniformly, in halves, quarters, or subsection wedges. Constant linear move systems for irrigating square or rectangular fields use technologies similar to those of center pivot systems.
Center pivot systems offer many advantages over other irrigation application methods:
1. Potential for automated operation, reducing labor costs
2. Simplified and predictable water delivery
3. Ability to apply to more shallow depths
4. Uniform distribution of water
5. Increased ability to plan and schedule irrigation applications
6. Easier to apply agri-chemicals (chemigation)
7. Little annual setup required
8. Reliability
Disadvantages of center pivot systems include:
1. Relatively high initial cost
2. Relatively high pipe-friction losses
3. Circular pattern leaves dry corners and potentially lower yield
4. Topographic changes cause potential operating pressure variations
5. Can have operational challenges requiring human interventions
6. Potential risk for injury if the operator is not familiar with operation