Real County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Real County sits in the western Hill Country on the Edwards Plateau, northwest of San Antonio, where livestock ranching, hay production, and wildlife management are common land uses. Real CAD's published policy is especially useful because it applies the same 30-acre-per-animal-unit-year stocking rate to native and improved pasture while also setting detailed apiary and wildlife-management requirements.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Native Pasture | 30 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Improved Pastureland | 30 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 6 | 0.5 | ✓ 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 or cow with unweaned calf | 1 | County-published |
| cows over 1000 lb | 1 | County-published |
| mature bull | 1.25 | County-published |
| weaned calf to one year | 0.6 | County-published |
| steer one year old | 0.7 | County-published |
| steer two year old | 0.9 | County-published |
| horse | 1.25 | County-published |
| miniature horse | 0.5 | County-published |
| mule or donkey | 1.25 | County-published |
| burro | 0.75 | County-published |
| five ewes with or without lambs | 1 | County-published |
| four rams | 1 | County-published |
| eight lambs weaned to one year | 1 | County-published |
| six nanny goats or does with kids | 1 | County-published |
| five buck goats | 1 | County-published |
| ten kid goats weaned to one year | 1 | County-published |
| six mature mutton goats | 1 | County-published |
| three llamas | 1 | County-published |
| seven white tailed deer | 1 | County-published |
| five axis aoudad fallow or mouflon | 1 | County-published |
| six blackbuck antelope | 1 | County-published |
| seven sika deer | 1 | County-published |
| three red deer or elk | 1 | County-published |
| eland | 1 | County-published |
| three emus | 1 | County-published |
| two ostriches | 1 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Real 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.
Land must currently be under agricultural-use valuation to be eligible for wildlife management. For a tract reduced from its prior-year acreage, Real CAD adopted the 98% wildlife-use requirement; the smallest tract that qualifies under that test is 50 acres. A wildlife management plan (state form PWD 885-W7000) must be submitted with the 1-d-1 application, and the owner must apply at least 3 of 7 listed activities. The policy says an annual report may be required.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 Open Space Agricultural Appraisal
- Sworn statements from lessors of subject property, owners of surrounding properties, or other person’s knowledge of ag use
- Invoices for feed, veterinarian services, seed, fertilizer, etc.
- Receipts for sale of livestock, hay or farm products
- Income tax return showing farm income – Schedule F
- Current active lease
- Documentation of registration with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, if applying for beekeeping
- Wildlife management plan (state form PWD 885-W7000), if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"Each individual account under 30 acres will be reviewed on a case by case basis."
"Properties may be required to re-apply and/or submit documentation at the request of the Chief Appraiser."
"Each application should be considered on its own merit, as there may be other circumstances in an operation which would allow a tract of land to qualify for an open space use appraisal."
"An appraisal district may require, for each tract of land qualified for agricultural appraisal based on wildlife management use, that an annual report be filed showing how the wildlife management plan was implemented in any given year."
Frequently Asked Questions — Real County
- Real CAD lists Native Pasture at 30 acres per animal-unit year. Dividing 90 acres by 30 acres per animal unit yields 3 animal units.
- The beekeeping standard starts with 6 active hives on 5 acres and adds 1 hive for every additional 2 acres. A 13-acre tract has 8 additional acres, so 8 ÷ 2 = 4 additional hives; 6 + 4 = 10 active hives.
- Yes, if it meets the other eligibility rules. Real CAD adopted a 98% wildlife-use requirement for a tract smaller than it was the previous January 1, and its policy identifies 50 acres as the smallest acreage that qualifies under that test. The owner must submit the wildlife plan and carry out at least 3 of 7 practices.
Real Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 830-232-6248
- info@realcad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 158, Leakey, TX 78873-0158
- Website
- https://realcad.org
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