Montgomery County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Montgomery County stretches north of Houston from the growing Conroe and Woodlands area into the Gulf Coastal Plain and Piney Woods, where cattle, hay, timber, and small-acreage beekeeping are common agricultural uses. MCAD's typical-level guide is particularly useful because it gives concrete herd, hay-cutting, and hive thresholds while making clear that the district reviews the operation as a whole.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cattle (larger tracts) | 8 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 are statewide default values — confirm with your CAD.
| Animal | Animal Units | Source |
|---|---|---|
| cow | 1 | Statewide default |
| cow calf | 1 | Statewide default |
| horse | 1 | Statewide default |
| sheep | 0.2 | Statewide default |
| goat | 0.17 | Statewide default |
| deer | 0.2 | Statewide default |
| turkey | 0.018 | Statewide default |
| chicken | 0.01 | Statewide default |
Wildlife Management Option
Montgomery 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 already have qualified for agricultural appraisal or timber productivity use in the prior year. A property owner must perform at least three of seven wildlife-management activities, and the land owner must file an annual report, including documentation, on management activities undertaken during the year.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- 1-d-1 Wildlife Management Application (Both forms must be completed), if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"No absolute standards can be set on agriculture/timber property due to the various accepted techniques and methods used by prudent operators."
"Each application will be reviewed and a decision as to the qualifying or non-qualifying use of the property will be based on the merits of the property in question."
"The chief appraiser, with input from an agricultural appraisal advisory board composed of local agricultural and timber producers, determines the level or degree of intensity applicable to each type of agricultural or timber use."
Frequently Asked Questions — Montgomery County
- MCAD says larger tracts should have one cow for every 8 acres. On 80 acres, 80 ÷ 8 = 10 cows.
- MCAD starts with 6 hives on the first 5 acres and adds one hive per additional 2.5 acres. The next 7.5 acres add 3 hives, while the remaining 2.1 acres add none, for 9 hives total.
- The published typical level is approximately 5 acres with proof of 2 cuttings during normal, non-drought years.
- No. It must already have qualified for agricultural or timber productivity appraisal in the prior year. The owner must then perform at least 3 of 7 wildlife-management activities and file an annual report with supporting documentation.
Montgomery Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- (936) 756-3354
- inquiries@mcad-tx.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 2233 Conroe, TX 77305-2233
- Website
- https://www.mcad-tx.org
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