circular irrigation in a square farm field

[micky]

When big circle watering of farm crops is used, does the plowing, seeding, and fertilizing apply to the whole surrounding square, or only to the circle as best they can.

Somone on the radio says that it's the square, but I've assumed that farmers, especially those with GPS-equipped tractors, but also those without (since cirular watering long preceded GPS), do as little excess as the farmer's abiltity to see where the circle is while driving the tractor, and as the width of the plow, seeder, fertilizer can make happen.

If I can get a good answer here, I'll be happy, but if not, I'll stop the car and check next time I'm near one of thes things.

[Rod Speed]

Only to the circle as best they can and that's one of the reasons that so many are now not bit circles, usually called lateral moves.

Yeah, particularly with the planting and harvesting.

Not easy to time the stop right and there is plenty spelt out on the web.

[Bob F]

Many circular sprinklers have end segments that rotate out to hit the corners better.