McLennan County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
McLennan County centers on Waco along the Brazos River, where Blackland Prairie soils support cattle grazing, hay, and row crops such as corn, wheat, cotton, oats, and soybeans. McLennan CAD’s guide is especially useful for small pasture operations because it states both acreage-per-animal-unit recommendations and a three-animal-unit minimum for most of the year.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| improved | 3 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| native {common} | 6 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| native {poor to bad} | 11 acres / AU | ✓ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| sheep | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| goat | 0.1428571429 | County-published |
| cow | 1 | County-published |
| 500 lb calf | 0.5 | County-published |
| brood mare | 1 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
McLennan 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.
A Wildlife Management Plan shall be completed on a form supplied by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for each tract of land for which appraisal based on wildlife management use is sought. McCAD will use a wildlife ratio of 92%, with a (13) acre minimum. The owner must perform at least three (3) of seven (7) wildlife management activities, and McLennan County Appraisal District staff performs routine verification of all land in the special valuation program.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Feed/fertilizer invoices, equipment invoices, sales receipts, labor expense, IRS Schedule (F) Income & Expense documents, sworn affidavits, or other production evidence when history is in doubt
- Wildlife Management Plan on a form supplied by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"It should be noted that these guidelines are to be used as a general guide for qualifying agricultural land. Exceptions to the general rule will be handled on a case-by-case basis."
"Grazing on native {poor to bad} pasture is stated as a range of 11 - 20 acres per animal unit; the intensity entry records the stated 11-acre lower bound and preserves the full range in original_text."
"Beekeeping intensity standards not found in published document — confirm with CAD."
"Minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — McLennan County
- McCAD recommends 3 acres per animal unit on improved pasture and requires at least 3 animal units for the majority of the year. Three animal units × 3 acres equals 9 acres of improved grazing land.
- McCAD equates 7 goats to 1 animal unit and requires a minimum of 3 animal units. 7 goats × 3 animal units equals 21 goats for the stated minimum.
- Yes, if it was appraised as 1-d-1 agricultural land in the year before conversion. McCAD uses a 13-acre minimum and the owner must complete a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department plan and perform at least 3 of 7 wildlife-management activities.
McLennan County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 254-752-9864
- mcadmail@mclennancad.org
- Address
- 315 S. 26th St. Waco, TX 76710-7400
- Website
- https://www.mclennancad.org
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