Clay County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Clay County sits on the Oklahoma line north of Wichita Falls, where cattle, horse, sheep and goat operations share the landscape with wheat, oats, hay, grain sorghum, cotton, and corn. Clay CAD's guide is particularly useful because it sets a 20-acre livestock threshold and a 10-acre-per-producing-animal-unit stocking standard, while also giving a precise colony formula for smaller beekeeping tracts.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cattle | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| horses | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| sheep/goats | 10 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 | 1 | County-published |
| cow calf | 1 | County-published |
| calf | 0.3333333333 | County-published |
| sheep | 0.2 | County-published |
| goat | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Clay County allows wildlife management as a qualifying use. Landowners must implement at least 0 of the seven recognized wildlife management practices defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Wildlife Management Properties – convert from the qualified land category prior to wildlife management designation. The guide does not state a wildlife-practice minimum, management-plan requirement, or annual-report requirement.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Proof of sale of offspring and feed or vet receipts for cattle, horses, or sheep/goats
- Receipts for seed, fertilizer, and proof of sale of crop for farming
- Copies of Farm Service Agency program arrangements, if applicable
Discretionary Caveats
"Other agricultural endeavors minimum standards will be analyzed on a case–by–case basis, specifically to determine if the endeavor is economically feasible."
"It should be noted that these guidelines are to be used as a general guide for qualifying agricultural land. Exceptions to the general rule will be handled on a case-by-case basis."
"These standards are subject to periodic review by the agricultural advisory board to keep them current with what is typical agriculture practice in Clay County. Also, from time to time adjustments will be needed to comply with changes in either appraisal manuals or Texas Property Tax Code."
"Minimum acreage not stated as one countywide threshold in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — Clay County
- Clay CAD lists one producing animal unit per 10 acres and a 20-acre minimum for cattle. Therefore, 20 acres ÷ 10 acres per animal unit = 2 producing animal units.
- The standard begins with 6 colonies on the first 5 acres and adds one colony per 2.5 acres. The additional 7.5 acres ÷ 2.5 = 3 more colonies, for 9 colonies total.
- For cattle, horses, and sheep/goats, the overview calls for proof of sale of offspring and feed or vet receipts. The livestock operation must also meet its listed 20-acre minimum and 1-producing-animal-unit-per-10-acre stocking rate.
Clay County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 940-538-4311
- claycad1@gmail.com
- Address
- P.O. Box 108, Henrietta, TX 76365-0108
- Website
- https://www.claycad.org
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