As the others have posted, they may have their place (smaller or odd shaped fields, but not really "poor" / cheap way to water. As the one poster above wrote, think dairy / milking - babysitting.

Now, in Mn - they (dnr) would most likely frown on your statement (bold above). They do not like surface water used for irrigation. Wells , ya - but not surface water. It is possible, but more red tape then a well requires. I would advise not to phrase it as you did either. lol