How many animal units can 40 acres of Fannin County blackland-clay improved pasture support?

Fannin CAD lists improved blackland-clay pasture at 8 acres per animal unit. Forty acres ÷ 8 acres per animal unit = 5 animal units, exceeding the district’s basic one-animal-unit minimum.

How much sandy native pasture is needed for three animal units in Fannin County?

The sandy native-pasture standard is 12 acres per animal unit. Three animal units × 12 acres per animal unit = 36 acres.

How many bee hives are required on 15 acres in Fannin County?

Fannin CAD requires 6 hives on the first 5 acres, then 1 more for each additional 2.5 acres. The additional 10 acres require 10 ÷ 2.5 = 4 hives, for 10 hives total.

Can a 12.5-acre Fannin County tract qualify for wildlife management?

Yes, 12.5 acres meets the individual-owner minimum. The tract must already have qualified as open-space agricultural or timber land in the prior year, use at least 3 of 7 practices, submit a TPWD 885-W7000 management plan, and file an annual report.

Fannin County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

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

Fannin County occupies the Blackland Prairie and sandy uplands northeast of Dallas, along the Red River and around Bonham, where cattle pasture, hay, row crops, and apiaries are established agricultural uses. Fannin CAD's guide is especially useful because it bases livestock intensity on both pasture improvement and soil type, producing different acreage standards for sand and blackland clay.

Min. Acreage

10 ac

History Requirement

Land located outside of an incorporated city limit must have qualified and received agricultural valuation for five (5) out of the last seven (7) years; land located within an incorporated city limit must have qualified and received the agricultural valuation for five (5) out of the last five (5) years continuously.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

903-583-8701

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
Native Pasture, Sand	12 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Native Pasture, Black land clay	10 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Improved Pasture, Sand	10 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Improved Pasture, Black land clay	8 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 are statewide default values — confirm with your CAD.

Animal	Animal Units	Source
cow	1	Statewide default
cow calf	1	Statewide default
horse	1	Statewide default
sheep	0.2	Statewide default
goat	0.17	Statewide default
deer	0.2	Statewide default
turkey	0.018	Statewide default
chicken	0.01	Statewide default

Wildlife Management Option

Fannin 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.

The tract must have been qualified and appraised as open-space agricultural or timber land in the preceding year. Fannin CAD sets a 12.5-acre minimum for an individual owner and 16.6 acres for each tract held by a wildlife organization, partnership, or association; the owner must use TPWD Form 885-W7000 for the management plan, perform at least 3 of 7 practices each year, and submit the TPWD-prescribed annual report.