Starr County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Starr County follows the Rio Grande in the western Rio Grande Valley, with cattle ranching and dry or irrigated crop ground among the uses addressed by its appraisal district. Starr CAD's guidelines are especially useful because they set the same 10-acre, one-animal-unit forage benchmark for improved pasture, native and brush pasture, dry cropland, and irrigated land, while also providing a clear beekeeping formula for 5-to-20-acre tracts.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| IMPROVED PASTURE | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| NATIVE AND BRUSH PASTURE | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| DRY CROPLAND | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| IRRIGATED | 10 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 |
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Proof of current registration of hives with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, for bee production
Discretionary Caveats
"Minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
"There may be circumstances in your agricultural operation and not specifically addressed in these guidelines which may allow it to qualify. Exceptions to the general rule will be handled on a case by case basis."
"Appraiser to use discretion when evaluating for ag use purposes."
"Operator may be asked to provide documentation of management practices, expenses and sales, if necessary; i.e. feed fertilizer invoices, equipment invoices, sales receipts, labor expenses, IRS Schedule F."
Frequently Asked Questions — Starr County
- Starr CAD's improved-pasture guideline is 10 acres per animal unit. Two animal units therefore require 20 acres of improved pasture (2 × 10 acres).
- The bee standard starts with 6 live hives on the first 5 acres and adds 1 hive for each additional 2.5 acres. A 10-acre tract needs 8 live hives: 6 + ((10 − 5) ÷ 2.5) = 8.
- No. Starr CAD's signed table lists 10 acres per animal unit for both native and brush pasture and improved pasture, so each supports 3 animal units on 30 acres.
Starr County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 956-487-5613
- starrcad@starrcad.org
- Address
- 100 N. FM 3167, Ste. 300, Rio Grande City, TX 78582-6211
- Website
- https://www.starrcad.org
Other Documented Counties
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