Center Pivot
Irrigation
Center-pivot irrigation is a method of crop irrigation in which equipment rotates around a pivot and crops are watered with sprinklers.
A circular area centered on the pivot is irrigated, often creating a circular pattern in crops when viewed from above.
The center-pivot irrigation system is considered to be a highly efficient system which helps conserve water. Center pivot irrigation typically uses less water compared to many surface irrigation and furrow irrigation techniques, which reduces the expenditure of and conserves water. It also helps to reduce labor costs compared to some ground irrigation techniques, which are often more labor-intensive.
Some ground irrigation techniques involve the digging of channels on the land for the water to flow, whereas the use of center-pivot irrigation reduces the amount of soil tilage that occurs and helps to reduce water runoff and soil erosion that can occur with ground irrigation. Less tillage encourages more cultivated area and more organic materials and crop residue to decompose back into the soil. This also reduces soil compaction.