Hill County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Hill County lies in the Blackland Prairie north of Waco, where cattle grazing, improved pasture, native range, pecan and peach orchards, and small-acreage beekeeping are all relevant land uses. Hill CAD’s guidelines are particularly useful because they publish separate improved- and native-pasture stocking ranges, detailed animal-unit conversions, and a hive schedule that reaches 16 colonies at 20 acres.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Pasture Land (P1) | 3 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Native Pasture Land (P2) | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 6 | 0.6666666667 | ✓ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 500 pound calf | 0.5 | County-published |
| cow calf | 1 | County-published |
| bull | 1.5 | County-published |
| horse | 1 | County-published |
| sheep | 0.2 | County-published |
| goat | 0.2 | County-published |
| miniature horse | 0.5 | County-published |
| donkey | 0.5 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Hill 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 currently be under agricultural-use valuation. Hill CAD requires at least three of seven listed wildlife-management practices and a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife management plan (form PWD 885-W7000); the chief appraiser requires an annual report showing how the plan was implemented.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Wildlife management plan (state form PWD 885-W7000), if applying for wildlife management
- Registration of the Apiary with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service through the AgriLife Research Office, if applying for beekeeping
- Landscape plan of the property indicating how plantings contribute to bee foraging, if applying for beekeeping
Discretionary Caveats
"To receive a productivity appraisal the land must be used to the degree of intensity typical in the area as defined by the Chief Appraiser and the Agriculture Advisory Board."
"A smaller acreage tract typically can qualify only if it is a part of a larger operating unit and used at a level which meets the degree of intensity standards of Hill County. This is determined on a case-by-case basis per property field review."
"The Hill County Appraisal District realizes that some exceptions to the norm exist and will review each applicant’s situation on an individual basis."
"A new application is necessary only if there has been a change from what was reported on your initial application or if the Chief Appraiser requests a new application."
Frequently Asked Questions — Hill County
- Hill CAD publishes a range of 3–4 acres per animal unit for improved pasture. Twenty acres ÷ 4 acres/AU = 5 AUs at the conservative end of that range, while 20 ÷ 3 = about 6.67 AUs at the more productive end.
- Hill CAD’s native-pasture range is 5–7 acres per animal unit. Thirty-five acres ÷ 7 acres/AU = 5 AUs at the conservative end; 35 ÷ 5 = 7 AUs at the more productive end.
- Hill CAD’s published table requires 11 hives on 12.5 acres. It starts with 6 colonies on 5 acres and adds one colony for each additional 1.5 acres.
- Yes, if it is already under agricultural-use valuation. The owner must use at least 3 of the 7 recognized wildlife-management practices, submit TPWD form PWD 885-W7000, and file the annual implementation report required by the chief appraiser.
Hill County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 254-582-2508
- hcad@hillcad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 416, Hillsboro, TX 76645-0416
- Website
- https://www.hillcad.org
Nearby Counties
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