How many animal units does 30 acres of Comanche County improved pasture support?

CCAD publishes an improved-pasture range of 3–5 acres per animal unit. Thirty acres ÷ 5 acres per AU = 6 AUs at the conservative end, while 30 ÷ 3 = 10 AUs at the other end; both exceed the district's three-animal-unit herd minimum.

How many active hives are required on 12.5 acres in Comanche County?

CCAD's hive schedule lists 9 hives for 12.5 acres. Its formula starts with 6 hives at 5 acres and adds 1 hive for every additional 2.5 acres: 6 + ((12.5 - 5) ÷ 2.5) = 9.

Can a 10-acre Comanche County hay field meet the published intensity standard?

Yes, 10 acres meets CCAD's approximate hay-field minimum. In a normal-rainfall year, the guide also calls for proof of 2 cuttings and typically 80 square or 4 round bales per acre.

What does Comanche CAD require for wildlife management?

The owner must submit a comprehensive plan, carry out 3 of 7 practices, and file an annual report. A reduced individual tract must meet the stated 95% wildlife-use requirement; a tract in a wildlife-management association or designated habitat uses 92%.

Comanche County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

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

Comanche County lies in the Cross Timbers west of the Fort Worth area, where cattle and small-livestock grazing, hay, peanuts, grain crops, and beekeeping are established agricultural uses. Comanche CAD's guide is especially practical for small acreage because it pairs a three-animal-unit herd minimum with separate improved- and native-pasture acreage ranges, a hive schedule, and production thresholds for crops and hay.

Min. Acreage

0 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. If the land is located within the boundaries of a city or town, land must have been devoted principally to agricultural use continuously for the preceding (5) years.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

325-356-5253

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
Improved	3 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Native	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
500-pound calf	0.5	County-published
sheep	0.1666666667	County-published
goat	0.1428571429	County-published
brood mare	1	County-published
250-pound swine	0.25	County-published
chicken	0.0005	County-published

Wildlife Management Option

Comanche 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.

Comanche CAD requires a comprehensive wildlife management plan and an annual report. The owner must engage in 3 of 7 wildlife-management activities; the district inspects properties to verify activity. A tract that has not reduced in size may convert without a minimum-acreage or wildlife-use requirement, while reduced tracts have a 95% individual-tract or 92% association/designated-habitat wildlife-use requirement.

Required Documents

Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Comprehensive Wildlife Management Plan, if applying for wildlife management
Wildlife Management Annual Report, if applying for wildlife management
Registration of the apiary, if applying for beekeeping
Certification of inspection, if applying for beekeeping
Branding information, if applying for beekeeping
Export, import or intra-state permits, if required by the Texas Apiary Inspection Service for the type of hive movement encountered

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 by the Chief Appraiser."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"This Degree of Intensity is subject to change from year to year."

⚠ 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.

"Minimum acreage varies by agricultural activity; no universal minimum acreage is stated in the published document — confirm with CAD."

Frequently Asked Questions — Comanche County

: CCAD publishes an improved-pasture range of 3–5 acres per animal unit. Thirty acres ÷ 5 acres per AU = 6 AUs at the conservative end, while 30 ÷ 3 = 10 AUs at the other end; both exceed the district's three-animal-unit herd minimum.
: CCAD's hive schedule lists 9 hives for 12.5 acres. Its formula starts with 6 hives at 5 acres and adds 1 hive for every additional 2.5 acres: 6 + ((12.5 - 5) ÷ 2.5) = 9.
: Yes, 10 acres meets CCAD's approximate hay-field minimum. In a normal-rainfall year, the guide also calls for proof of 2 cuttings and typically 80 square or 4 round bales per acre.
: The owner must submit a comprehensive plan, carry out 3 of 7 practices, and file an annual report. A reduced individual tract must meet the stated 95% wildlife-use requirement; a tract in a wildlife-management association or designated habitat uses 92%.

Comanche Central Appraisal District

Phone: 325-356-5253
Email: info@comanchecad.org
Address: 8 Huett Cir. Comanche, TX 76442-2049
Website: https://comanchecad.org

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