Cherokee County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Cherokee County sits in the East Texas Piney Woods, between Tyler and Nacogdoches, where cattle pasture, hay, timber, and small commercial growing operations are common. Cherokee CAD’s guide is particularly useful because it distinguishes poor, average, and good pasture and pairs those stocking rates with a three-animal-unit minimum for livestock operations.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Poor Pasture | 8 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Average Pasture | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Good Pasture | 2 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| cow calf pair | 1 | County-published |
| breeder bull | 1.25 | County-published |
| stocker calf | 0.5 | County-published |
| bottle calf | 0.2 | County-published |
| goat | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| sheep | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| horse | 1 | County-published |
| miniature horse cow or donkey | 0.5 | County-published |
| breeding swine | 0.4347826087 | County-published |
| market hog | 0.303030303 | County-published |
| feeder pig | 0.05 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Cherokee 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 District has established a minimum acreage size of 10 acres for wildlife operations. The property must have been appraised in the previous year as ag or timber land under Subchapter D or E. A completed and signed written Wildlife Management Plan is required; at least three activities are required; and the District requires an annual PWD-888 update by April 30 and conducts an annual inspection.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Copies of current notarized lease agreements
- Copies of tax records such as IRS Schedule F-1040
- Expense receipts
- Bills of sale
- A completed and signed written Wildlife Management Plan, if applying for wildlife use
- Texas Parks and Wildlife form PWD-888 annual update, if approved for wildlife use
Discretionary Caveats
"The District will handle such situations on a case by case basis."
"The District will review these instances on a case by case basis."
"Each application will be reviewed on a case by case basis focusing on how effective the plan and location are to fulfilling legislative intent of primary use."
"In general terms, the District has adopted a 3 animal unit (A.U.) minimum for livestock operations."
Frequently Asked Questions — Cherokee County
- Cherokee CAD requires at least 3 animal units for livestock operations. Average pasture is stocked at 1 AU per 5 acres, so 3 AU × 5 acres = 15 acres; that corresponds to 3 cow/calf pairs.
- The standard begins with 6 hives on 5 acres and adds 1 hive for every additional 2.5 acres. The additional 7.5 acres require 3 more hives, for 9 hives total.
- The tract must contain at least 10 acres and have been appraised as qualifying agricultural or timber land in the prior year. The owner must submit a signed wildlife plan, perform at least 3 management activities, file an annual PWD-888 update, and pass the district’s annual inspection.
- Cherokee CAD lists a 7-acre minimum for hay production, with approximate annual production of 5 round bales per acre or 60–70 square bales per acre.
Cherokee County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 903-683-2296
- info@cherokeecad.net
- Address
- P.O. Box 494, Rusk, TX 75785-0494
- Website
- https://www.cherokeecad.com
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