Erath County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Erath County lies in North Central Texas around Stephenville, on the western edge of the Cross Timbers and southwest of Fort Worth. Cattle and calf operations, forage production, horses, small grains, and sorghum hay are common local uses; Erath CAD's standards are especially useful because they pair land-type stocking rates with a two-animal-unit herd-size test and a detailed county equivalency chart.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cropland Grazing Sorghum Hay | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Improved Grasses | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Native Pasture | 20 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 4 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cow or cow calf | 1 | County-published |
| mature bull | 1.25 | County-published |
| weaned calf to one year | 0.6 | County-published |
| steer one year old | 0.7 | County-published |
| steer two year old | 0.9 | County-published |
| horse | 1.25 | County-published |
| miniature horse | 0.5 | County-published |
| donkey or mule | 1.25 | County-published |
| burro | 0.75 | County-published |
| 5 ewes with or without lambs | 1 | County-published |
| 4 rams or buck sheep | 1 | County-published |
| 8 lambs weaned to one year | 1 | County-published |
| 6 nanny goats or does with kids | 1 | County-published |
| 5 billy or buck goats | 1 | County-published |
| 10 kid goats weaned to one year | 1 | County-published |
| 6 mature mutton goats | 1 | County-published |
| 5 axis aoudad fallow or mouflon | 1 | County-published |
| 9 blackbuck antelope | 1 | County-published |
| 7 sika deer | 1 | County-published |
| 2 5 red deer | 1 | County-published |
| eland | 1 | County-published |
| 3 emus | 1 | County-published |
| 2 ostriches | 1 | County-published |
| 7 whitetail deer | 1 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Erath 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 applies to land that, when the wildlife-management use began, was appraised as qualified open-space land or qualified timber land. An updated and current wildlife management plan must be filed with the Erath CAD between January 1 and April 30 of each year on Texas Parks and Wildlife form TPWD 885-W7000.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- TPWD 885-W7000 wildlife management plan, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"Unique or “fad” agricultural operations will be considered on an individual basis."
"These stocking ratios may be adjusted if land type overlap or soil types dictate a modification."
"These ratios are based on a typical rainfall year for the area."
"All operations pertaining to grazing of the land including horse breeding operations and wildlife management in the Erath CAD will have a typical herd size of at least two animal units."
Frequently Asked Questions — Erath County
- Erath CAD's native-pasture rate is 1 animal unit per 20 acres. Forty acres ÷ 20 acres per animal unit = 2 animal units, which also meets the district's two-animal-unit herd-size test.
- Erath CAD lists improved grasses at 1 animal unit per 10 acres. Two animal units × 10 acres per animal unit = 20 acres.
- Erath CAD's beekeeping table requires 10 active hives on 15 acres. The table begins at 4 active hives on 5 acres and reaches 12 on 20 acres.
- The land must already have qualified open-space or timber appraisal when wildlife management begins. The owner must implement at least 3 practices and file an updated TPWD 885-W7000 wildlife management plan with Erath CAD each year between January 1 and April 30.
Erath County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 254-965-5434
- Address
- 1195 W. South Loop, Stephenville, TX 76401-2026
- Website
- https://www.erath-cad.com
Nearby Counties
Learn the Basics
Get a free reminder before Erath 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 →