How many active hives are needed on 12.5 acres in Brazos County?

Brazos CAD starts at 6 mainframe hives on 5 acres and adds 1 hive for every additional 2.5 acres. (12.5 − 5) ÷ 2.5 = 3 additional hives, so 6 + 3 = 9 active hives.

How many sheep or goats meet Brazos CAD’s livestock benchmark?

Brazos CAD states that 6 sheep or goats equal 1 animal unit and gives a five-animal-unit example. 5 AUs × 6 sheep or goats per AU = 30 reproducing sheep or goats; the guideline associates that benchmark with 15 acres, excluding one acre per home site.

Can a 16.70-acre Brazos County tract change from agricultural appraisal to wildlife management?

Yes, 16.70 acres meets the published individual-tract wildlife minimum. The tract must have received agricultural appraisal in the prior year, and the owner must submit a TPWD management plan, carry out at least 3 of 7 practices, and file an annual wildlife report.

Brazos County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: Brazos Central Appraisal District official guidelines

Brazos County centers on Bryan and College Station in the Brazos Valley, where cattle, hay, row crops, and small apiaries operate alongside fast-growing development. Brazos CAD’s guidelines are especially useful because they set a 15-acre, five-animal-unit livestock benchmark and a clear active-hive formula for the smaller tracts that can qualify through beekeeping.

Min. Acreage

0 ac

History Requirement

The land must have history of agricultural use for at least five (5) years of the last seven (7) years.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

979-774-4100

Beekeeping Intensity Standards

Acreage Range	Base Hives	Extra Hives/Acre (above base)	Confidence
5–20 acres	6	0.4	✓ 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
reproducing cow 1000 lbs	1	County-published
sheep	0.1666666667	County-published
goat	0.1666666667	County-published
sow with litters	0.125	County-published
boar	1	County-published

Wildlife Management Option

Brazos 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 have been qualified and appraised as agricultural land during the year before conversion to wildlife management. The owner must submit a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department written Management Plan and a Wildlife Management Annual Report every year; perform at least three of seven listed activities; and pass periodic on-site reviews by a Brazos Central Appraisal District staff appraiser. The published guideline sets a 16.70-acre minimum for individual tracts, 11.10 acres for wildlife-management association tracts, and 11.10 acres for endangered-species tracts.