How much improved pasture is needed for cattle in Gregg County?

Gregg CAD requires at least 4 animal units. On improved pasture, its rate is 1 animal unit per 4 acres, so 4 AUs × 4 acres = 16 acres. That matches the table's 16-acre minimum for four cows or bulls.

How many goats or sheep are needed on Gregg County pasture?

Gregg CAD counts 2 goats or sheep as 1 animal unit and requires at least 4 animal units. Therefore, 4 AUs × 2 head per AU = 8 goats or sheep; its table lists 8 head as the minimum qualifying number.

How many bee colonies are needed on 15 acres in Gregg County?

Gregg CAD starts with 6 colonies on 5 acres and adds 1 colony for each additional 2.5 acres. The additional 10 acres require 10 ÷ 2.5 = 4 more colonies, for a total of 10; the CAD's chart also lists 15 acres / 10 active colonies.

What does Gregg CAD require for wildlife management?

A rural tract needs at least 12.5 acres (or 10 acres in a subdivision), must have had agricultural, timber, or wildlife appraisal the prior year, and must carry out at least 3 of 7 listed practices. The owner must submit PWD-885 and complete the PWD-888 annual report.

Gregg County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

Last verified 2026-07-12 · Source: Gregg Appraisal District official guidelines

Gregg County centers on Longview in East Texas's Piney Woods, where livestock pasture, hay production, orchards, and managed timber are common rural land uses. Gregg Appraisal District's 2026 standards are particularly useful because they pair three pasture stocking rates with a four-animal-unit minimum and detailed rules for hay, apiaries, and wildlife management.

Min. Acreage

5 ac

History Requirement

Land must have been devoted principally to agricultural use for five of the preceding seven years or, if within the city limits, continuously for the preceding five years.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

(903) 238-8823

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
IMPROVED PASTURE (RI)	4 acres / AU	✓ Verified
NATIVE PASTURE (RN)	6 acres / AU	✓ Verified
BRUSH PASTURE (RB)	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 values are published by the county.

Animal	Animal Units	Source
cow bull	1	County-published
calf	0.5	County-published
goat sheep	0.5	County-published
broodmare jenny	0.5	County-published

Wildlife Management Option

Gregg 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.

Gregg CAD requires at least 12.5 rural acres or 10 subdivision acres, prior agricultural, timber, or wildlife-management appraisal, and at least three of seven listed practices. A Wildlife Management Plan (PWD-885) and Wildlife Management Annual Report (PWD-888) are required; practices must meet Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Pineywoods ecological-region intensity standards.

Required Documents

Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Supportive documentation proving that the land has been currently and actively devoted principally to agriculture use
1-D-1 Open Space Agricultural Valuation Wildlife Management Plan (PWD-885), if applying for wildlife management
1-D-1 Open Space Agricultural Valuation Wildlife Management Annual Report (PWD-888), if applying for wildlife management

Discretionary Caveats

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"GCAD requires a minimum of 4-animal units to qualify for the agriculture special valuation."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"The Chief Appraiser may ask for a renewal application at any given time. However, the normal renewal cycle is every eight years after the special evaluation has been granted, unless the use/acreage has changed."

Frequently Asked Questions — Gregg County

: Gregg CAD requires at least 4 animal units. On improved pasture, its rate is 1 animal unit per 4 acres, so 4 AUs × 4 acres = 16 acres. That matches the table's 16-acre minimum for four cows or bulls.
: Gregg CAD counts 2 goats or sheep as 1 animal unit and requires at least 4 animal units. Therefore, 4 AUs × 2 head per AU = 8 goats or sheep; its table lists 8 head as the minimum qualifying number.
: Gregg CAD starts with 6 colonies on 5 acres and adds 1 colony for each additional 2.5 acres. The additional 10 acres require 10 ÷ 2.5 = 4 more colonies, for a total of 10; the CAD's chart also lists 15 acres / 10 active colonies.
: A rural tract needs at least 12.5 acres (or 10 acres in a subdivision), must have had agricultural, timber, or wildlife appraisal the prior year, and must carry out at least 3 of 7 listed practices. The owner must submit PWD-885 and complete the PWD-888 annual report.

Gregg Appraisal District

Phone: (903) 238-8823
Email: greggcad@gcad.org
Address: 4367 W. Loop 281, Longview, TX 75604-5550
Website: https://www.gcad.org

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LandTally is an informational and record-keeping tool. It does not provide tax, legal, or appraisal advice, and is not affiliated with any county appraisal district. Requirements are set by your county and may change — always confirm details with your county appraisal district before acting.

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