Eastland County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Eastland County spans the rolling West Cross Timbers between Abilene and Fort Worth, where native pasture, improved forage, livestock, hay, and dryland cultivation are central agricultural uses. Eastland CAD's guide is particularly helpful for smaller tracts because it gives an explicit three-animal-unit pasture threshold and a simple 5-to-20-acre beekeeping schedule, while requiring annual verification of active hives.
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 2 | 0 | ✓ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| sheep | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| goat | 0.1428571429 | County-published |
| cow | 1 | County-published |
| 500 lb calf | 0.5 | County-published |
| brood mare | 1 | County-published |
| 250 lb swine | 0.25 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Eastland 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.
A Wildlife Management Plan and an Annual Report shall be completed on a form supplied by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for each tract of land for which appraisal based on wildlife management use is sought. The land must be currently receiving special agricultural valuation when changed to wildlife management and must be actively managed through at least three listed practices.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Wildlife Management Plan, if applying for wildlife management
- Annual Report on a form supplied by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"Exceptions to this guide will be handled on a case by case basis by the Chief Appraiser."
"ECAD requires a minimum of three (3) animal units run on pastureland for the majority of the year (180 days) to qualify for 1-d-1 agricultural appraisals."
"ECAD publishes no acres-per-animal-unit grazing rate — confirm tract-level pasture intensity with CAD."
"Minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — Eastland County
- Eighteen acres falls in Eastland CAD's 15-to-20-acre band, which requires 5 hives. The guide uses 18 acres and 5 hives as its example.
- Nine acres is in the 7-to-10-acre beekeeping band, so Eastland CAD requires 3 active hives. The district inspects hives at least annually to confirm that the bees are alive and the standards are met.
- Eastland CAD requires 3 animal units on pastureland for most of 180 days. Its examples show that 3 cows equal 3 animal units; alternatively, 21 goats ÷ 7 goats per animal unit = 3 animal units.
- The tract must already be receiving special agricultural valuation, have a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife management plan and annual report, and actively implement at least 3 of the 7 listed wildlife-management practices.
Eastland County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 254-629-8597
- info@eastlandcad.org
- Address
- 211 Inspiration Blvd. Eastland, TX 76448-5514
- Website
- https://www.eastlandcad.org
Nearby Counties
Learn the Basics
Get a free reminder before Eastland County's next ag exemption deadline
Join the waitlist — we'll email you before the dates that matter, and you'll get first access to the app when it's ready.
Join the waitlistSpotted an error or outdated information? Let us know →