Jackson County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Jackson County sits on the Coastal Prairie west of Lavaca Bay, between Victoria and the Gulf Coast, where cattle, rice and other row crops, hay, and aquaculture are familiar agricultural uses. Jackson Central Appraisal District's guide is especially practical for small and working tracts because it gives a 10-acre native-cattle stocking standard, activity-specific acreage thresholds, and fixed bee-hive bands.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Native Pasture Cattle | 10 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 values are published by the county.
| Animal | Animal Units | Source |
|---|---|---|
| bull 2 years and over | 1.5 | County-published |
| bred heifer | 1.5 | County-published |
| steer or open heifer 1 year and older | 1 | County-published |
| weaned calf to yearling | 0.5 | County-published |
| hog or sow 1 year and over | 1 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Jackson 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 been qualified and appraised as open-space agriculture land or timber land in the year before conversion. The owner must submit an application and management plan on Texas Parks and Wildlife form TPWD 885-W7000, perform at least 3 of 7 management practices each year, consult with a TPWD biologist or agent, and file the annual report required by the Chief Appraiser.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Texas Parks and Wildlife management plan, form TPWD 885-W7000, if applying for wildlife management
- Annual report on the form prescribed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, if enrolled in wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"All application approvals will be on a case by case basis."
"Approval on a case by case basis"
Frequently Asked Questions — Jackson County
- Jackson CAD sets native-pasture cattle at 1 animal unit per 10 acres. Three animal units therefore require 3 × 10 = 30 acres; the operation must also be fenced, have a water source, and sell cattle for food or fiber.
- A 12-acre tract falls in Jackson CAD's 10.01-to-15-acre bee band, which requires at least 9 active hives. The hives must be located on the property at least 7 months of the year.
- Yes. Jackson CAD lists a 10-acre minimum for an improved-pasture hay field and typically requires proof of 2 cuttings in years of normal rainfall.
- It must have qualified as open-space agricultural or timber land in the prior year, submit a TPWD 885-W7000 management plan, implement at least 3 of 7 management practices each year, and provide the annual report required by the Chief Appraiser.
Jackson Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 361-782-7115
- info@jacksoncad.org
- Address
- 404 N. Allen St., Edna, TX 77957-2604
- Website
- https://www.jacksoncad.org
Nearby Counties
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