Harrison County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Harrison County lies in the East Texas Piney Woods along the Louisiana border, with Marshall as its county seat and cattle pasture, hay, and timber shaping much of its rural landscape. Harrison CAD's guide is particularly helpful for livestock operators because it separates good, average, and poor pasture and applies a three-animal-unit minimum to commercial operations.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Good Quality Pasture | 2 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Average Quality Pasture | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Poor Quality Pasture | 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 calf pair | 1 | County-published |
| breeder bull | 1.25 | County-published |
| stocker calf | 0.5 | County-published |
| bottle calf | 0.2 | County-published |
| goat sheep | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| horse | 1 | County-published |
| miniature livestock | 0.5 | County-published |
| breeding swine | 0.4347826087 | County-published |
| market hog | 0.303030303 | County-published |
| feeder pig | 0.05 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Harrison 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 operations require at least 10 acres and prior-year agricultural or timber special-use appraisal. The application must include a completed, signed written Wildlife Management Plan (Texas Parks and Wildlife Form PWD-885 or an equivalent plan); the owner must perform at least three of seven listed activities, file an annual PWD-888 update by April 30, and the District conducts an annual inspection.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Written Wildlife Management Plan (Texas Parks and Wildlife Form PWD-885 or other written plan containing all pertinent PWD-885 data), if applying for wildlife management
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Form PWD-888 annual update, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"In general terms, the District has adopted a 3-animal unit (A.U.) minimum for livestock operations."
"The District will handle such situations on a case-by-case basis."
"The District reserves the right to request a management plan and/or other evidence to verify agricultural production."
Frequently Asked Questions — Harrison County
- Harrison CAD requires at least 3 animal units for a livestock operation. At 2 acres per animal unit on good pasture, 3 AUs × 2 acres = 6 acres.
- The first 5 acres require 6 hives. The additional 10 acres require 10 ÷ 2.5 = 4 more hives, so a 15-acre apiary requires 10 hives.
- The tract must contain at least 10 acres, have qualified as agricultural or timber land in the prior year, include a signed wildlife plan, and carry out at least 3 of the 7 listed management activities. Harrison CAD also requires an annual PWD-888 update by April 30.
Harrison Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 903-935-1991
- contact@harrisoncad.net
- Address
- P.O. Box 818, Marshall, TX 75671-0818
- Website
- https://www.harrisoncad.net
Nearby Counties
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