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• A center pivot irrigation system is used to automatically apply a uniform amount of <br />irrigation water to a crop. A farmer will vary the water application rate throughout the <br />growing season by adjusting the system speed at the control panel. A center pivot system <br />can be used to make a light application upon planting of a crop to ensure proper seed <br />germination, to make a moderate application when the crop is young, or to make a heavy <br />application when the water use requirement of the crop is at its maximum. Each center <br />pivot system is designed for all crops and the amount of irrigation water the crop will <br />need. Early in the season the typical practice is to make a full revolution and shut down <br />until more irrigation is needed by the crop. When the crop reaches the point of its <br />maximum water requirement, the system will typically run non-stop until the maximum <br />water use period is past. In addition to applying irrigation water, many farmers use their <br />center pivots for chemigation — applying liquid fertilizer and/or herbicides and <br />insecticides via a separate tank and pump system that injects a metered amount of <br />chemical into the pressurized pipe that supplies water to the system. <br />Management practice after first cutting: <br />• Management procedures after first cutting are essentially the same as before the first <br />cutting. Since ensuing cuttings will most likely be lower regardless of water supply, there <br />is somewhat more flexibility in irrigation operations. <br />Page 42 October 2016 (TR -75) <br />