How many animal units are required on improved good pasture in Guadalupe County?

Guadalupe AD requires a five-animal-unit minimum. Improved Good Pasture (IPG) is stocked at 1 animal unit per 3 acres, so 5 AU × 3 acres = 15 acres; the district's table lists 15 acres to meet the minimum degree of intensity.

How much native average pasture is needed for the Guadalupe County livestock minimum?

Native Pasture Average (NPA) is 1 animal unit per 10 acres and the county minimum is 5 animal units. Therefore, 5 AU × 10 acres per AU = 50 acres.

How many hives are needed on 15 acres in Guadalupe County?

The district starts at 6 hives on 5 acres and adds 1 hive per 2.5 acres. The additional 10 acres ÷ 2.5 = 4 hives, so 6 + 4 = 10 hives; the published table also lists 10 hives for 15 acres.

Can a 16.7-acre Guadalupe County tract switch to wildlife management?

Yes, if it was qualified and appraised as agricultural land in the prior year. At 16.7 acres it meets the stated wildlife minimum, but the owner must implement at least 3 of 7 practices, submit Form 50-129 and PWD 885, and file an annual report after approval.

Guadalupe County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

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

Guadalupe County runs east of San Antonio along the I-35 corridor and the Post Oak Savannah, where grazing, hay production, row crops, and small-acreage rural properties meet fast growth around Seguin, Schertz, and Cibolo. Guadalupe Appraisal District's guidelines are especially useful because they distinguish three improved and three native pasture classes, pair each with a five-animal-unit minimum, and set concrete thresholds for bees, hay, and row crops.

Min. Acreage

5 ac

History Requirement

The land must have been devoted principally to agricultural use for five out of seven years preceding the application for special appraisal.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

830-303-3313

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
IPG or Improved Good Pasture	3 acres / AU	✓ Verified
IPA or Improved Pasture Average	4 acres / AU	✓ Verified
IPP or Improved Poor Pasture	6 acres / AU	✓ Verified
NPG or Native Pasture Good	8 acres / AU	✓ Verified
NPA or Native Pasture Average	10 acres / AU	✓ Verified
NPP or Native Pasture Poor	15 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
cattle	1	County-published
calves	0.5	County-published
goats	0.2	County-published
sheep	0.1666666667	County-published
axis deer	0.2	County-published
alpaca	0.25	County-published
fallow deer	0.1666666667	County-published

Wildlife Management Option

Guadalupe 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.

Land must have qualified and been appraised as agricultural land in the prior year and meet the 16.7-acre minimum. The owner must perform at least three of seven wildlife-management activities, submit Texas Parks & Wildlife's PWD 885 Wildlife Management Plan with Form 50-129, and file an annual report after approval.

Required Documents

Form 50-129, Application for 1-D-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Texas Parks & Wildlife’s PWD 885, Wildlife Management Plan, if applying for wildlife management
Supporting documentation such as maps, photos, planning grids and check points or goals for each tax year covered by the 5-year plan, if applying for wildlife management

Discretionary Caveats

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"Exceptions to this guide will be handled on a case-by-case basis."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"The following practices and typical acreages for the different land categories and intensity requirements are intended to be used as general guidelines. Exceptions to the general rule will be handled on a case-by-case basis. These are typical acreage requirements to achieve minimum standards of production to qualify land under agricultural use given prudent management."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"However, the Chief Appraiser may request another application periodically to confirm current qualifications of land previously granted the special valuation."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"Guadalupe County Minimum Animal Unit = 5 Animal Units"

Frequently Asked Questions — Guadalupe County

: Guadalupe AD requires a five-animal-unit minimum. Improved Good Pasture (IPG) is stocked at 1 animal unit per 3 acres, so 5 AU × 3 acres = 15 acres; the district's table lists 15 acres to meet the minimum degree of intensity.
: Native Pasture Average (NPA) is 1 animal unit per 10 acres and the county minimum is 5 animal units. Therefore, 5 AU × 10 acres per AU = 50 acres.
: The district starts at 6 hives on 5 acres and adds 1 hive per 2.5 acres. The additional 10 acres ÷ 2.5 = 4 hives, so 6 + 4 = 10 hives; the published table also lists 10 hives for 15 acres.
: Yes, if it was qualified and appraised as agricultural land in the prior year. At 16.7 acres it meets the stated wildlife minimum, but the owner must implement at least 3 of 7 practices, submit Form 50-129 and PWD 885, and file an annual report after approval.

Guadalupe Appraisal District

Phone: 830-303-3313
Email: psaseguin@guadalupead.org
Address: 3000 N. Austin St., Seguin, TX 78155-7320
Website: https://www.guadalupead.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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