Tule sensors measure Actual Evapotranspiration, crop water stress, and the quantity of irrigation applied to the field. Tule measures over a broad area with a hardware device installed in the field and above the plant canopy. Data is remotely sent to servers and presented to growers on an easy-to-use mobile app and desktop dashboard for making efficient irrigation decisions. Every day, growers receive the crop water status of their field and a site-specific irrigation recommendations based on ET to optimize water efficiency based on their crop production goals.

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
Reduced Pumping
For example, improved irrigation scheduling may lead to reduced pump operation times. If yes, provide detailed explanation.

Using an ET sensor to measure actual evapotranspiration in the field allows growers to know their plant water use over a broad area. Growers can then make informed irrigation decision about how much water to apply to ensure they are not over-irrigating. With a reduction in water use, there would also be a corresponding reduction in pumping time.

Description of proposed water use system
Explain in detail the proposed water use system and associated energy sources. At a minimum, applicants should address the proposed crop, irrigation type, irrigation water management practices, fuel source(s) and water source(s).

Tule is an irrigation management tool based on measuring actual evapotranspiration, crop water stress, and applied irrigation. Daily irrigation recommendations are provided based on crop type, phenological stage, actual ET, soil water holding capacity, and annual rainfall.
(NOTE: Growers will need to also show that water deliveries can be made on a consistent basis to accommodate scheduling based on ET)

Water use after project implementation

Use the USDA NRCS Irrigation Water Savings Calculator Workbook to determine your water use before and after project implementation based on your site specific details. Tule sensors have been shown to reduce water use as much as 20% for some crop types and regions. However, this water savings varies greatly based on your current practices and proposed changes to your entire system. In the application guidelines, the CDFA suggests if deploying an advanced Irrigation Water Management (IWM) practice can result in savings up to 15%.

Provide a detailed explanation of how the proposed project will measure applied water after project implementation.

Along with other improvements deployed, Tule sensors use a pressure switch to measure the start and stop times of irrigation events. Amount of applied irrigation is then calculated using the designed system flow rate. This allows growers to easily check that their irrigation orders have been carried out as they had intended. (Please note the SWEEP program still requires a flow meter to measure applied water also.)

Training
If awarded funding, will a representative from the agriculture operation agree to attend the training? If yes, indicate the training course and the agriculture operation representative(s) planning to attend.

Tule provides free training to clients. This includes regional in-person training events, online training tools, as well as one-on-one training for larger organizations. The Tule training program is designed to help growers learn how the tools can help improve their irrigation decisions through site specific insights in addition to reviewing best practices for similar fields.

Project Design

Please contact us for a detailed siting plan for Tule sensors at your site. Initially, one sensor per irrigation management zone should be considered. dditionally, please note that with the use of ET based irrigation scheduling (Tule) the design must include evidence that water deliveries can be made on a consistent basis to accommodate that scheduling.

Budget Worksheet

Tule sensors fit under the “Other” section for Annual Service Charges. The reporting timeline under the SWEEP program is 3 years and therefore, 3 years of service should be included with your application. However, we do recommend that this 3 years of service include some amount of matching funds depending on your full application. Here’s an example for just ONE sensor:
The cost of Tule for 3 years is $4500 ($1500 per year). In this example the grower is matching 50% of the total cost, as recom mended by CDFA:

Other			Matching Funds
Description	Qty	Subtotal	Description	Cash
Tule Actual ET Sensor Software Service - 3 years	1	$2250	Tule Actual ET Sensor Software Service - matching funds	$2250

(As a guide, Tule sensors currently fit under the USDA NRCS Payment Schedule Practice Code 449, IWM with weather station. More info can be found on page 49 here.)

Please contact us for a specific proposal based on the number of Tule sensors required at your ranch.