Kaufman County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

Grazing Intensity Standards

Beekeeping Intensity Standards

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.

Wildlife Management Option

Kaufman 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 as timber land in the year prior to conversion to wildlife management use. A minimum of 12.5 acres designated to wildlife management is required. The owner must submit a Texas Parks and Wildlife management plan on form PWD 885-W7000, perform at least three of seven management practices each year, and file the annual PWD-888-W7000 report describing implementation during the prior year.

Required Documents

• Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
• Evidence of agricultural use
• 2 notarized affidavits from the previous owner or any other person who has knowledge of the history of the property
• 3 current receipts showing the purchase of livestock, feed, fencing material, farm and ranch equipment, etc.
• Current pictures of the property pertaining to the ag use
• Schedule F income tax filings
• Active lease agreements
• Proof of crop purchase/sale
• Branding information, if applicable, for beekeeping
• Minimum of 3 current receipts pertaining to beekeeping
• Current pictures of hives
• Landscape plan of the property indicating how plants and plantings contribute to bee foraging
• Texas Parks and Wildlife management plan on form PWD 885-W7000, if applying for wildlife management

Discretionary Caveats

Frequently Asked Questions — Kaufman County

How many animal units does Kaufman CAD expect on 25 acres of grazing land? +

KCAD's livestock baseline is 3 animal units on the first 9 acres, then 1 additional animal unit for every additional 8 acres. A 25-acre tract has 16 acres beyond the initial 9, so 3 + (16 ÷ 8) = 5 animal units.

How many goats or sheep meet Kaufman County's three-animal-unit grazing baseline? +

KCAD's animal-unit chart treats 5 goats or sheep as 1 animal unit. Its grazing baseline is at least 3 animal units, so 3 × 5 = 15 goats or sheep on a qualifying grazing tract, subject to the other standards.

How many bee colonies are required on 15 acres in Kaufman County? +

KCAD starts with 6 colonies on 5 acres and adds 1 hive for each additional 2.5 acres. The additional 10 acres contain four 2.5-acre increments, so 6 + 4 = 10 colonies; the district's table also lists 10 hives at 15 acres.

What must a 12.5-acre wildlife-management tract do in Kaufman County? +

Twelve and a half acres is KCAD's stated minimum for wildlife management. The tract must already have had qualifying open-space agricultural or timber appraisal in the prior year, use the state management-plan form, carry out at least 3 of 7 practices each year, and submit the annual report.

Nearby Counties

• Henderson County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Hunt County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Van Zandt County Ag Exemption Requirements →

See all documented counties →

Learn the Basics

• Texas Ag Exemption Explained: 1-d-1 Open Space Valuation for Small Landowners →
• Rollback Taxes: What Happens If You Lose Your Ag Exemption →