Center pivot irrigation is a mechanical sprinkler system that moves in a circular pattern to irrigate crops. In such systems, a long pipeline rotates around a central pivot point. This system is growing in popularity and has become of the most preferred irrigation methods for open-field crops in the US. Besides irrigation, center pivots are typically used to apply herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Thanks to the never-ending technological advancements, the capabilities of machines keep improving, which makes them more sophisticated.
Here, as the leading center pivot contractors in Nebraska, we discuss the main components of center pivot irrigation system and compare their pros and cons:
Components
End gun
This can be added to the machine. It’s a large sprinkler that delivers water to the field’s corners, which the circular irrigation pattern of the pivot doesn’t cover.
Control panel
It’s used as the main operating point and is located at the pivot point. Irrigation prescriptions are either uploaded or fed to the control panel. The panel can usually be controlled remotely through an app.
Tower box
It’s installed on every drive tower and controls the movement.
Water emitters
These are bubblers, sprayers, or sprinklers mounted on the pipeline. They may vary in spacing, size, and type along the pipeline.
Span
It’s the water pipe between the drive towers.
Drive towers
It’s the main pipe on which the emitters are mounted. Wheeled towers support it over the ground.
Pipeline
This is a long irrigation line, comprising an array of lateral pipes. Drive towers support the pipe.
Pivot point
It’s a central tower around which the entire system revolves. Connected to a fixed water supply, the tower can either be movable (on wheels) or fixed.
Design
The system’s length may vary between 60-790 m (200-2600 ft). The standard machine can irrigate a 125 acres field and has a length of 400 m (1320 ft).
The main pipe is connected to a pumping station, which pumps water from a reservoir, dam, river, well, or any other source. The water is distributed to the sprinklers after flowing through to the central tower. For uniform irrigation, the discharge of sprinklers located at a larger distance should be higher than the discharge of sprinklers closer to the central tower.
With the control panel, the operator can set when to pause and resume watering and the direction in which the machine moves. Thus, depending on the control panel’s capabilities and type, the system can either be operated automatically or manually.
Modern center pivot systems can remain effective even for terrains with steep slopes. In addition, sprinklers are set above the crop canopy, which promises proper growth. Therefore, using them on almost any field crop is possible.
Today, it’s possible to do variable rate irrigation using center pivot systems. In this method, variable water rates are applied to various sections of the field. This is especially important when there’s variability in crops or fields that comprise different types of soil and topography. Such variability can be linked to different crop types growing in the same field with different planting dates and densities. Variable rate irrigation is controlled in two ways: automatically adjusting the flow rate of the sprinklers and changing the pivot’s speed.
Pros
A pivot system offers the most efficient form of irrigation for big areas of agricultural land. This system doesn’t just deliver water over a massive area quickly but also helps distribute pesticides and fertilizers. Following are some of the most common advantages of these systems:
- Programmable to irrigate on a particular schedule
- Help farmers use water more efficiently by preventing water runoff
- Conserves energy by operating at reduced pressures
- Reduces the need for human labor
- Applies irrigation in a uniform manner
In a single day, a mobile center pivot irrigation system can slowly travel on its wheels and complete a full circle. Due to its semi-automatic operation, it can be programmed to complete a part of a circle, which is helpful when obstacles like power lines are encountered.
A center-pivot irrigation system is ideal for almost every crop, including vegetables, fruit trees, and arable lands. As a result of its lateral movements and semi-automatic operation with respect to its pivots, it can regulate water levels in the soil. Depending on how the system is administered and the installation, this system can be 85-98% efficient in terms of using water efficiently.
Cons
Yes, no machinery is 100% efficient, and center-pivot irrigation systems are no exception. Following are some of the disadvantages of this system:
- They don’t function well in windy conditions — uneven irrigation may occur, and fertilizers and nutrients can be lost.
- Mobile systems can only perform on flat ground.
- Not ideal for irrigated fields that are square or rectangular.
- The cost of maintenance can be expensive.
- High initial installation costs.
When it comes to using water efficiently, center-pivot irrigation systems lose a lot of water due to evaporation. However, there’s no denying that they’re one of the least expensive systems to use.
To ensure the production costs of growing crops don’t increase, farmers must use high-quality agricultural technology. Center pivot irrigation systems offer plenty of benefits that other types of irrigation systems can’t.
By contributing to farm profitability and productivity, improving irrigation efficiency, and helping with water management, center-pivot irrigation systems have become an important tool for the farmers of today.
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