Robertson County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Robertson County lies in east-central Texas between Bryan–College Station and Waco, with cattle pasture, hay production, and row crops central to its rural landscape. Robertson CAD’s guidelines are particularly useful because they distinguish improved pasture, native/brush, and brush/wooded land, while also publishing specific acreage and hive thresholds for several smaller-scale agricultural uses.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| improved pastureland | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| native/brush | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| brush/wooded | 15 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 6 | 0 | ✓ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cattle 1000 lbs and over | 1 | County-published |
| cow with unweaned calf | 1 | County-published |
| weaned calf or steer 1 to 2 years | 0.5 | County-published |
| buck | 0.2 | County-published |
| nanny goat or doe with kids | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| kid goat weaned to 1 year | 0.1 | County-published |
| mature mutton goat | 0.2 | County-published |
| ewe with or without lambs | 0.2 | County-published |
| ram | 0.25 | County-published |
| lamb weaned to 1 year | 0.125 | County-published |
| llama or alpaca | 0.3333333333 | County-published |
| white tailed deer | 0.1428571429 | County-published |
| axis aoudad fallow or mouflon | 0.2 | County-published |
| blackbuck antelope | 0.1111111111 | County-published |
| sika deer | 0.1428571429 | County-published |
| red deer or elk | 0.3333333333 | County-published |
| eland | 1 | County-published |
| emu | 0.3333333333 | County-published |
| ostrich | 0.5 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Robertson 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 using the appropriate Texas Parks and Wildlife Department form must be attached to Form 50-129. Robertson CAD’s wildlife-management reporting requirement is every 3 years; the report is due by April 30 with pictures, receipts, and logs showing evidence of use for 3 years at a time.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Wildlife management plan using the appropriate Texas Parks and Wildlife Department form, if applying for wildlife management
Frequently Asked Questions — Robertson County
- Robertson CAD’s native/brush standard is 1 animal unit per 10 acres. 30 acres ÷ 10 acres per AU = 3 animal units.
- Twelve acres falls in Robertson CAD’s 10.1–15-acre beekeeping band, which requires 7 hives.
- Robertson CAD defines 5 ewes with or without lambs as 1 animal unit. On 5 acres of improved pasture, its grazing rate is 1 AU per 5 acres, so 5 ewes meet that one-AU intensity.
- Five acres meets the CAD’s stated hay minimum. The property must be cut at least twice each year; if it is cut less often, the CAD says it should be grazed for the remaining growing season.
Robertson Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 979-828-5800
- rcad@robertsoncad.com
- Address
- P.O. Box 998 Franklin, TX 77856-0998
- Website
- https://robertsoncad.com
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