Lamar County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Lamar County borders the Red River northeast of Dallas, with ranch pasture, hay production, row crops, orchards, and apiaries forming important rural land uses around Paris. Lamar CAD's standards are particularly useful because grazing capacity varies sharply by pasture improvement and soil type, from 4 acres per animal unit on improved ground to 15 on native pasture.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Native Pasture, Sand | 15 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Native Pasture, Black | 15 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Improved Pasture, Sand | 4 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Improved Pasture, Black | 4 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 1000 lb dry | 0.92 | County-published |
| cow 1000 lb with calf | 1 | County-published |
| bull mature | 1.35 | County-published |
| cattle 1 year old | 0.6 | County-published |
| cattle 2 year old | 0.8 | County-published |
| sheep mature | 0.2 | County-published |
| lamb 1 year old | 0.15 | County-published |
| goat mature | 0.15 | County-published |
| kid 1 year old | 0.1 | County-published |
| mature horse breeders | 1.25 | County-published |
| colt | 0.2 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Lamar County allows wildlife management as a qualifying use. Landowners must implement at least 0 of the seven recognized wildlife management practices defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Wildlife management can only be applied to land currently receiving agricultural appraisal. Lamar CAD lists a 12.5-acre minimum for an individual or 16.6 acres for a co-op and requires an approved wildlife plan prepared and signed by the owner at conversion; it also states that the tract must meet the minimum acreage set by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the region unless an exception applies.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Approved wildlife plan prepared and signed by owner, if applying to convert land to wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"This is a Guideline only & may be altered on a case by case basis"
"Wildlife management-practice count and annual-report requirement not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — Lamar County
- Lamar CAD lists both sandy and black native pasture at 15 acres per animal unit. Four animal units × 15 acres per animal unit = 60 acres.
- Lamar CAD lists improved pasture on both sand and black soils at 4 acres per animal unit. Twenty acres ÷ 4 acres per animal unit = 5 animal units.
- The standard begins with 6 hives on the first 5 acres, then adds 1 hive per 2.5 acres. The additional 10 acres ÷ 2.5 = 4 more hives, for 10 hives total.
- Yes, 12.5 acres meets Lamar CAD's individual-owner minimum, provided the land is already receiving agricultural appraisal and the owner submits an approved, signed wildlife plan. The published standard does not state a practice count or annual-report requirement.
Lamar County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 903-785-7822
- lamar@lamarcad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 400, Paris, TX 75461-0400
- Website
- https://www.lamarcad.org
Nearby Counties
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