Callahan County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Callahan County lies east of Abilene on the western edge of North Central Texas, where cattle grazing, hay, dryland crops, and small apiaries are established agricultural uses. Callahan Central Appraisal District’s guidelines are particularly useful because they translate livestock intensity into a 1,000-pound-per-24-acre standard while also setting a straightforward one-mainframe-hive-per-acre apiary rule.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pastureland | 24 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 5 | 1 | ✓ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cow | 1 | Statewide default |
| cow calf | 1 | Statewide default |
| horse | 1 | Statewide default |
| sheep | 0.2 | Statewide default |
| goat | 0.17 | Statewide default |
| deer | 0.2 | Statewide default |
| turkey | 0.018 | Statewide default |
| chicken | 0.01 | Statewide default |
Wildlife Management Option
Callahan 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.
Wildlife management is an alternative to agricultural appraisal for land used to propagate a sustaining, breeding, migrating, or wintering population of indigenous wild animals. It requires a minimum of 50 acres in Callahan County, at least three listed management practices each year, and a Wildlife Management Plan and Annual Report on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department forms for each tract.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- IRS forms, sales receipts, expense receipts and/or sworn affidavits from persons (lessor or lessee) having knowledge of the subject property, when history is in doubt
- Wildlife Management Plan and Annual Report on a form supplied by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"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 by the chief appraiser."
"‘Degree of intensity’ will vary from one type of agricultural operation to another."
"Minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — Callahan County
- Callahan CAD’s standard is 1,000 pounds of animal weight per 24 acres. On 48 acres, that works out to 2,000 pounds of animal weight (48 ÷ 24 = 2), provided the livestock operation meets the district’s production and management requirements.
- Callahan CAD defines apiary intensity as one mainframe hive per acre. A 12-acre tract therefore needs 12 mainframe hives; it is within the district’s 5-acre minimum and 20-acre maximum for beekeeping valuation.
- No. Callahan CAD’s published wildlife-management standard requires at least 50 acres. A qualifying tract must also complete at least 3 management practices each year and submit a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department plan and annual report.
Callahan Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 325-854-2528
- info@callahancad.org
- Address
- 302 Chestnut St. Baird, TX 79504
- Website
- https://www.callahancad.org
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