A device for spreading liquids in an agricultural field includes at least two cantilever arms, each having multiple means for distributing the liquid. The two cantilever arms are pivotable about one or more axes running approximately parallel to a driving direction of the device, and each arm includes one or more attached actuators that transmit an actuating force to produce a pivoting movement onto the cantilever arms. First sensors for determining a relative actual spacing of the cantilever arms and second sensors for detecting an environmental profile provide signals to a control apparatus which controls the actuators to achieve a desired movement and spacing of the cantilever arms. An associated method is also described.