Medina County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

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

Medina 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.

Wildlife land must currently have agricultural-use valuation and be the primary use. Medina CAD requires a valid 1-d-1 application, a five-year wildlife management plan, an annual report, and availability for a requested field review/inspection. An individual tract requires 50 acres; a wildlife-management association or endangered-species tract requires 20 acres.

Required Documents

• Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
• Supporting documentation of use
• Beekeeping supplement and a 5-year plan of action, if applying for beekeeping
• Five-year management plan, if applying for wildlife management
• Annual report, if approved for wildlife management

Discretionary Caveats

Frequently Asked Questions — Medina County

How many active bee hives are required on 15 acres in Medina County? +

Medina CAD starts at 6 active hives on the first 5 acres and adds 1 hive per 2.5 additional acres. Fifteen acres has 10 additional acres, or four 2.5-acre increments, so the standard is 6 + 4 = 10 active hives.

What is the livestock minimum for a Medina County agricultural valuation? +

Medina CAD requires at least 3 animal units. Its county chart counts one beef cow as 1 animal unit, so a cow operation needs at least 3 cows; the district's suggested acreage to support those minimum units is 20–45 acres of improved pasture, 45–90 acres of native pasture, or 90–120+ acres of rangeland brush.

How many Spanish nanny goats meet Medina CAD's minimum herd size? +

Medina CAD's animal-unit chart lists Spanish nanny goats at 0.16 animal units per head and gives an MCAD minimum of 18 head. Eighteen goats represent 18 × 0.16 = 2.88 animal units; the published chart expressly identifies 18 as the district minimum herd size for that class.

What does an individual Medina County tract need for wildlife management? +

An individual tract requires 50 acres, must already be under agricultural-use valuation, and the owner must perform at least 3 of the 7 statutory wildlife-management activities. A valid 1-d-1 application, five-year plan, annual report, and availability for requested field inspection are also required.

Nearby Counties

• Atascosa County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Bandera County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Bexar County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Frio County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Uvalde County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Zavala 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 →