Edwards County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Edwards County lies on the western Edwards Plateau, centered on Rocksprings and west of San Antonio, where native-range ranching, sheep and goat production, exotic livestock, and wildlife management are established land uses. Edwards Central Appraisal District's standards are especially useful for large rural tracts because they set a 50-acre threshold and distinguish native range with lighter brush from brushier rangeland for stocking purposes.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| NATP - RANGELAND, NATIVE | 38 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| NATP - RANGELAND, BRUSHY | 40 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 |
|---|---|---|
| five sheep | 1 | County-published |
| six angoras | 1 | County-published |
| five spanish goats | 1 | County-published |
| cow or cow and calf | 1.27 | County-published |
| mature bull | 1.25 | County-published |
| horse | 1 | County-published |
| six whitetail | 1 | County-published |
| seven pronghorn antelope | 1 | County-published |
| bull elk | 1 | County-published |
| cow elk | 1 | County-published |
| four axis deer | 1 | County-published |
| five mouflon sheep | 1 | County-published |
| five sika deer | 1 | County-published |
| two red deer | 1 | County-published |
| eland | 1 | County-published |
| seven blackbuck antelope | 1 | County-published |
| three emus | 1 | County-published |
| two ostriches | 1 | County-published |
| six fallow deer | 1 | County-published |
| nilgai antelope | 1 | County-published |
| three addax | 1 | County-published |
| three auodad sheep | 1 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Edwards 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 a conversion from property with 1-d-1 valuation and requires a minimum 50-acre parcel. The initial filing requires Form 50-129 and a wildlife management plan; the plan must target at least two native species and include at least three management practices. Annual reports are due April 30 and must report prior-year activities with supporting documentation.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 Open Space Agricultural Appraisal
- Current lease agreement, if applicable
- Wildlife Management Plan, if applying for wildlife management
- Wildlife Management Annual Report and supporting documentation, for property enrolled in wildlife management
- Letter of Intent, receipts of purchases or sales, pictures or report of plants, map of hive locations, and registration of Beekeeping Operation with Texas Apiary, if building beekeeping history
Discretionary Caveats
"Exceptions to this guide will be handled on a case-by-case basis."
"All contiguous parcels can be considered on a stand-alone basis with consideration being given to common ownership."
"You are not required to file an application each year once your land is approved; however, the Chief Appraiser may request a new application periodically."
"Annual field inspection by Appraisal District Appraisers, date is at discretion of Chief Appraiser"
"Produce documentation when requested by chief appraiser"
Frequently Asked Questions — Edwards County
- Edwards CAD estimates the carrying capacity of NATP - RANGELAND, NATIVE at 1 animal unit per 38 acres. Dividing 152 acres by 38 acres per animal unit yields 4 animal units.
- Edwards CAD's published example requires 9 hives on 14.6 acres: 6 hives for the first 5 acres plus 3 hives for 7.5 additional acres, with the remaining 2.1 acres adding no hive.
- It meets Edwards CAD's stated 50-acre minimum, but acreage alone is not enough. The tract must convert from 1-d-1 valuation, have a wildlife management plan targeting at least 2 native species, carry out at least 3 practices, and submit annual reports by April 30.
- The published guideline says a typical Edwards County orchard or vineyard has a minimum of 10 acres. A 20-acre operation is therefore twice that stated minimum.
Edwards Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 830-683-4189
- ecad@swtexas.net
- Address
- P.O. Box 858 Rocksprings, TX 78880-0858
- Website
- https://www.edwardscad.org
Nearby Counties
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