Why do farmers put their crops in circles?

Question

flying across country the other day i looked down and for miles and miles i saw nothing but fields that were made in circles. being a farmer myself ive never seen this and i dont think it is for irrigation purposes why do they do this?

Answer 1

Actually, if you flew above rather arid area, it IS for irrigation purpose. They have long mobile pipes on wheels with sprinklers that go around, watering crop unattended.

Answer 2

You were seeing fields done for center pivot irrigation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_pivo...

It's a fairly low energy method of irrigation.

More: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/irsprayhigh...

I'd guess you were flying over the Great Plains or Intermountain West?