How much improved pasture does Grayson CAD require for five cattle animal units?

Grayson CAD’s improved-pasture standard is 1 animal unit per 3 acres, so 5 animal units require 5 × 3 = 15 productive acres. A cow/calf operation also has a stated 10-acre minimum and typical requirement of at least 5 breeding-age cows bred annually.

How much native pasture is needed for five cattle animal units in Grayson County?

Grayson CAD publishes a range of 7–10 acres per animal unit on native pasture. For 5 animal units, that is 5 × 7 to 5 × 10 acres, or 35–50 productive acres.

How many hives are required on 15 acres in Grayson County?

The apiary formula starts with 6 hives on the first 5 acres and adds 1 hive for each additional 2.5 acres. A 15-acre tract has 10 additional acres, so 10 ÷ 2.5 = 4 more hives, for 10 hives total.

Grayson County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

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

Grayson County sits on the Red River north of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, with working cattle pasture, horse operations, hay, crops, and smaller apiaries alongside fast-growing Sherman and Denison. Grayson CAD’s standards are especially useful because they distinguish improved from native cattle pasture, prescribe a 6-to-12-hive formula for 5–20-acre apiaries, and require a 12.5-acre minimum for wildlife management.

Min. Acreage

10 ac

History Requirement

Land must have been devoted principally to agricultural use for five of the preceding seven years. Land within the boundaries of a city or town must have been devoted principally to agriculture use continuously for the preceding five years.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

903-893-9673

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
Improved Pasture	3 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Native Pasture	7 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

Grayson 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.

12.5 Acres Minimum. Can only be applied to land which qualifies and is already receiving 1-d-1 Open Space Agricultural Valuation. Must provide a formal recommendation from a regulatory wildlife biologist (Wildlife Management Plan) and implement such recommendations. Grayson CAD’s Wildlife Management Report states, “A minimum of three practices is required.”