Bandera County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Bandera County lies in the Texas Hill Country northwest of San Antonio, where cattle, sheep, goats, horses, exotics, and wildlife management are central rural land uses. The district's standards are especially useful to landowners because they pair three soil-and-pasture stocking rates with a firm three-animal-unit herd test and a specific small-tract beekeeping option.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Grasses (i.e. Coastal/Kleingrass) | 3.33 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Native Range - Good Soils | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Mountains – Poor Soils | 13.33 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 3 | 0 | ✓ Verified |
Animal Unit Equivalencies
An animal unit (AU) is a standardized measure used to compare livestock of different sizes. One AU = one 1,000-lb cow. Your total stocking rate is calculated in AUs, then multiplied by the acres-per-AU standard for your pasture type. These values are published by the county.
| Animal | Animal Units | Source |
|---|---|---|
| cow or cow calf pair | 1 | County-published |
| mature bull | 1.25 | County-published |
| weaned calf to 1 year | 0.6 | County-published |
| steer 1 year | 0.7 | County-published |
| horse mule | 1.25 | County-published |
| donkey burro | 0.75 | County-published |
| ewe | 0.2 | County-published |
| ram or buck sheep | 0.25 | County-published |
| lamb weaned to 1 year | 0.125 | County-published |
| nanny goat | 0.167 | County-published |
| billy goat | 0.2 | County-published |
| kid goat weaned to 1 year | 0.1 | County-published |
| axis or fallow deer | 0.2 | County-published |
| aoudad or mouflon sheep | 0.2 | County-published |
| blackbuck antelope | 0.11 | County-published |
| sika deer | 0.143 | County-published |
| red deer | 0.4 | County-published |
| eland | 1 | County-published |
| emus | 0.333 | County-published |
| ostriches | 0.5 | County-published |
| whitetail deer | 0.143 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Bandera County allows wildlife management as a qualifying use. Landowners must implement at least 3 of the seven recognized wildlife management practices defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife. An annual wildlife management plan report is required.
The land must have qualified and been appraised as agricultural land under 1-d-1 in the year prior to the conversion. A Wildlife Management Plan, compiled with the assistance from a wildlife biologist, is required. The minimum acreage is 20 acres for an individual parcel or 12.5 acres within a Wildlife Management Cooperative; the owner must perform at least 3 of 7 wildlife-management activities, and the District requires an annual update by April 30 detailing the previous year's management results.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Wildlife Management Plan (PWD 885-W7000), if applying for wildlife management
- Annual Wildlife Management Plan Update, if approved for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"Unique or “fad” agricultural operations will be considered on a “case-by-case” basis."
"Other exceptions may arise and will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Chief Appraiser."
"The owner or lessee must notify the Chief Appraiser in writing of any special circumstances and the request must be approved by the Chief Appraiser or his designee."
"These stocking ratios may be adjusted based on pasture condition, rainfall and management. Parcels may be considered on an individual basis."
Frequently Asked Questions — Bandera County
- Bandera CAD lists improved grasses at 3.33 acres per animal unit, so 3 animal units would use 3 × 3.33 = 9.99 acres by the stocking rate. However, its chart sets 20 acres as the minimum acreage to support three animal units under optimum conditions, and the general minimum-tract standard is 20 acres.
- Mountains–Poor Soils are listed at 13.33 acres per animal unit. Dividing 40 acres by 13.33 gives approximately 3 animal units, matching the chart's 40-acre minimum for three animal units.
- The district requires at least 3 active honeybee hives on no fewer than 5 and no more than 20 acres. A qualifying 5-acre apiary therefore needs 3 active hives, each with at least one 8- or 10-frame brood box, a cover, and a bottom.
- Yes, provided it was appraised as 1-d-1 agricultural land in the prior year. Twenty-five acres exceeds the 20-acre individual-parcel minimum; the owner must submit a wildlife plan, carry out at least 3 of 7 practices, and file the annual update by April 30.
Central Appraisal District of Bandera County
- Phone
- 830-796-3039
- info@bancad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 1119, Bandera, TX 78003-1119
- Website
- https://www.bancad.org
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