How many animal units are required on a 20-acre Bosque County pasture?

Bosque CAD’s minimum-AU method applies under 20 acres, while its example states that 20 acres require 3 animal units. The district also requires the operation to carry those 3 AUs for the majority of the year.

How many active hives are needed on 15 acres in Bosque County?

Bosque CAD’s beekeeping table requires 5 active hives on 15 acres. The schedule is 3 hives at 5 acres, 4 at 10 acres, 5 at 15 acres, and 6 at 20 acres.

What stocking range does Bosque CAD publish for 40 acres of native grass with small brush?

Bosque CAD lists 12.0–15.0 acres per animal unit for native grass with small growth brush. Dividing 40 acres by that range gives capacity for about 2.67 to 3.33 animal units; the district’s separate minimum is 3 animal units.

Can a 20-acre Bosque County tract qualify for wildlife management?

Yes, if it is already qualified open-space land and the owner implements at least 3 of the 7 wildlife-management activities each year through a wildlife management plan. Bosque CAD identifies 20 acres as the normal minimum, and (20 - 1) ÷ 20 = 95%, which meets its normal-tract wildlife-use requirement.

Bosque County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

Last verified 2026-07-12 · Source: Bosque Central Appraisal District official guidelines

Bosque County sits northwest of Waco in the Cross Timbers and Prairies, where cow-calf ranches, hay meadows, native grass, and brush country are common. Bosque CAD’s guidance is especially useful because it separates four pasture conditions into carrying-capacity ranges, pairs them with a three-animal-unit minimum, and publishes a small-tract hive schedule.

Min. Acreage

5 ac

History Requirement

The land must have been devoted to a qualifying agricultural use for at least five (5) of the preceding seven (7) years.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

254-435-2304

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
Improved Grass Land Clear - Hybrid Grasses	4 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Improved Grass Land Clear – indigenous Grasses	12 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Native Grass Lands w/ small growth brush	12 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Native Grass Lands w/ large growth brush	15 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 are statewide default values — confirm with your CAD.

Animal	Animal Units	Source
beef cattle cow	1	Statewide default
horse	1.27	Statewide default
domestic sheep ewe	0.18	Statewide default
spanish goat nanny	0.16	Statewide default
boer x spanish goat nanny	0.19	Statewide default
angora goat nanny	0.12	Statewide default
white tailed deer	0.13	Statewide default
mule deer	0.18	Statewide default
pronghorn antelope	0.14	Statewide default
axis deer	0.2	Statewide default
sika deer	0.2	Statewide default
fallow deer	0.18	Statewide default
elk	0.92	Statewide default
red deer	0.47	Statewide default
barasinga deer	0.47	Statewide default
sambar deer	0.54	Statewide default
pere davids deer	0.54	Statewide default
sable antelope	0.58	Statewide default
blackbuck antelope	0.12	Statewide default
nilgai antelope	0.47	Statewide default
scimitar horned oryx	0.54	Statewide default
gemsbok oryx	0.54	Statewide default
arabian oryx	0.2	Statewide default
addax	0.34	Statewide default
ibex x boer goat	0.19	Statewide default
impala	0.18	Statewide default
common eland	0.96	Statewide default
greater kudu	0.61	Statewide default
sitatunga	0.27	Statewide default
waterbuck	0.58	Statewide default
thompsons gazelle	0.13	Statewide default
mouflon barbado sheep	0.16	Statewide default
auodad sheep	0.27	Statewide default

Wildlife Management Option

Bosque 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.

Land must already be receiving special agricultural valuation when changed to wildlife management. Bosque CAD requires at least three of seven activities each year, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife management plan, and generally 20 acres (12.5 acres for a wildlife-management property association or designated endangered-species habitat). The chief appraiser requires a signed annual report detailing the plan's activities and results.

Required Documents

Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Copies of Schedule F's for five (5) years from the IRS Income Tax return, with an attached affidavit verifying the property description (attach last year’s tax statements).
Copies of Receipts for five (5) years, such as purchase of livestock, purchase of grain, purchase of farm supplies (fencing, fertilizer, etc.)
Two (2) substantiated notarized affidavits stating the specific acreage use of the property and actual years of use.
Copy of written lease agreement or memorandum for the prior five (5) years.
Copy of the lease, if the subject tract is leased.
A notarized affidavit by the Lessee verifying the terms of the lease, in the case of a verbal lease.
Wildlife Management Plan on a form provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, if applying for wildlife management

Discretionary Caveats

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"It should be noted that these guidelines are to be used as a general guide for qualifying agricultural land. Exceptions to this guide will be handled on a case-by-case basis."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"A minimum of 10 acres is the recommended amount for consideration of Ag appraisal qualification in Bosque County, with each case being subject to review as to its Ag production and level of intensity."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"The chief appraiser's decision on what constitutes an "area" (i.e. soil type), will define "typical" agricultural intensity."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"ANIMAL UNITS - Bosque Central Appraisal District requires a minimum of three (3) animal units (AU) run at any given time, for the majority of the year on pasture land, to qualify for 1-d-1 agricultural appraisal."

Frequently Asked Questions — Bosque County

: Bosque CAD’s minimum-AU method applies under 20 acres, while its example states that 20 acres require 3 animal units. The district also requires the operation to carry those 3 AUs for the majority of the year.
: Bosque CAD’s beekeeping table requires 5 active hives on 15 acres. The schedule is 3 hives at 5 acres, 4 at 10 acres, 5 at 15 acres, and 6 at 20 acres.
: Bosque CAD lists 12.0–15.0 acres per animal unit for native grass with small growth brush. Dividing 40 acres by that range gives capacity for about 2.67 to 3.33 animal units; the district’s separate minimum is 3 animal units.
: Yes, if it is already qualified open-space land and the owner implements at least 3 of the 7 wildlife-management activities each year through a wildlife management plan. Bosque CAD identifies 20 acres as the normal minimum, and (20 - 1) ÷ 20 = 95%, which meets its normal-tract wildlife-use requirement.

Bosque Central Appraisal District

Phone: 254-435-2304
Email: feedback@bosquecad.com
Address: P.O. Box 393, Meridian, TX 76665-0393
Website: http://www.bosquecad.com/

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LandTally is an informational and record-keeping tool. It does not provide tax, legal, or appraisal advice, and is not affiliated with any county appraisal district. Requirements are set by your county and may change — always confirm details with your county appraisal district before acting.

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