How many animal units can 30 acres of native pasture support in Hood County?

Hood CAD's native-pasture standard is one animal unit per 15 acres. Thirty acres ÷ 15 acres per animal unit = 2 animal units.

How many animal units are needed on 15 acres of improved grass in Hood County?

Hood CAD lists one animal unit per 5 acres of improved grasses. Fifteen acres ÷ 5 acres per animal unit = 3 animal units.

How many active hives are required on 12.5 acres in Hood County?

Hood CAD's beekeeping table lists 9 active hives for 12.5 acres. The same table starts at 6 active hives on 5 acres and reaches 12 active hives on 20 acres.

Hood County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

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

Hood County sits southwest of Fort Worth around Granbury and Lake Granbury, where growing residential development shares the landscape with cattle, horses, hay fields, and smaller agricultural tracts. Hood Central Appraisal District publishes distinct native-pasture and improved-grass stocking rates, giving landowners a clear way to calculate the livestock intensity expected for grazing use.

Min. Acreage

0 ac

History Requirement

Land must have been devoted principally to agricultural use for five of the preceding seven years.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

817-573-2471

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
native pasture	15 acres / AU	✓ Verified
improved grasses	5 acres / AU	✓ Verified

Beekeeping Intensity Standards

Acreage Range	Base Hives	Extra Hives/Acre (above base)	Confidence
5–20 acres	6	0	✓ 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

Required Documents

Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Documentation showing the purchase of bees, queens and hives
Documentation showing what food sources are available
A map of the property showing the hive placement
A basic marketing plan showing how the honey and related products will be sold

Discretionary Caveats

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"Minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."

Frequently Asked Questions — Hood County

: Hood CAD's native-pasture standard is one animal unit per 15 acres. Thirty acres ÷ 15 acres per animal unit = 2 animal units.
: Hood CAD lists one animal unit per 5 acres of improved grasses. Fifteen acres ÷ 5 acres per animal unit = 3 animal units.
: Hood CAD's beekeeping table lists 9 active hives for 12.5 acres. The same table starts at 6 active hives on 5 acres and reaches 12 active hives on 20 acres.

Hood Central Appraisal District

Phone: 817-573-2471
Email: hoodapp@hoodcad.net
Address: P.O. Box 819, Granbury, TX 76048-0819
Website: https://www.hoodcad.net

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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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