How many animal units are needed on 40 acres in Van Zandt County’s Region 2?

Region 2 is one animal unit per 8 acres, so 40 ÷ 8 = 5 animal units. That exactly meets VZCAD’s separate five-animal-unit minimum.

How many animal units are needed on 90 acres in Region 1?

Region 1 is one animal unit per 15 acres, so 90 ÷ 15 = 6 animal units. Six is greater than the district’s five-animal-unit minimum.

How many active hives are required on 12.5 acres in Van Zandt County?

VZCAD’s beekeeping table lists 9 active hives for a 12.5-acre tract. The beekeeping acreage range is 5 to 20 acres.

Can a 10-acre tract qualify for wildlife management in Van Zandt County?

Ordinarily, wildlife management requires at least 12.5 acres and a 92% wildlife-use ratio. A tract in a wildlife-management cooperative or association may qualify at 10 acres if it meets the 90% use ratio and the other requirements.

Van Zandt County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

Last verified 2026-07-12 · Source: Van Zandt County Appraisal District official guidelines

Van Zandt County lies east of Dallas in the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairie transition, where cattle, hay, horses, and small agricultural operations are common. VZCAD’s standards are especially useful because they divide the county into two eco-regions with markedly different grazing rates, while retaining a five-animal-unit minimum for livestock operations.

Min. Acreage

10 ac

History Requirement

Land must have been devoted principally to agricultural use for five of the preceding seven years.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

903-567-6171

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
Region 1	15 acres / AU	✓ Verified
Region 2	8 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
adult cattle	1	County-published
cow calf pair	1	County-published
adult equine	1	County-published
feeder calf	0.5	County-published
foal	0.5	County-published
donkey	0.5	County-published
buffalo	0.5	County-published
goat	0.25	County-published
sheep	0.25	County-published
alpaca	0.25	County-published
llama	0.25	County-published
swine	0.25	County-published

Wildlife Management Option

Van Zandt 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.

The district adopts Texas Parks & Wildlife practices and intensity standards for the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairie Regions. Properties must meet a minimum of 12.5 acres and a wildlife-use ratio of at least 92%; properties in a wildlife-management cooperative or association may have a 10-acre minimum and 90% ratio.

Required Documents

Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Wildlife Management Plan, if converting land to or applying for wildlife management

Discretionary Caveats

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"The minimal use standard for Van Zandt County is the greater of 5 Animal Units or: Region 1 - 1 animal unit per 15 acres depending on pasture type or quality* Region 2 – 1 animal unit per 8 acres depending on pasture type or quality*."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"Due to the Texas Property Tax Code’s stated requirements being comparative in nature, some subjective judgment may be exercise in review of subject tracts stocking rates."

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"Due to the Texas Property Tax Code’s stated requirements being comparative in nature, some subjective judgment may be exercised in regards to minimum acreage. Exceptions may apply, but are not limited to, adjoining acreage used with Subject Tract, high intensive use suited to smaller acreage, and atypical land type or agricultural use that qualifies but may require aberrant acreage or stocking requirements."

Frequently Asked Questions — Van Zandt County

: Region 2 is one animal unit per 8 acres, so 40 ÷ 8 = 5 animal units. That exactly meets VZCAD’s separate five-animal-unit minimum.
: Region 1 is one animal unit per 15 acres, so 90 ÷ 15 = 6 animal units. Six is greater than the district’s five-animal-unit minimum.
: VZCAD’s beekeeping table lists 9 active hives for a 12.5-acre tract. The beekeeping acreage range is 5 to 20 acres.
: Ordinarily, wildlife management requires at least 12.5 acres and a 92% wildlife-use ratio. A tract in a wildlife-management cooperative or association may qualify at 10 acres if it meets the 90% use ratio and the other requirements.

Van Zandt County Appraisal District

Phone: 903-567-6171
Email: admin@vzcad.org
Address: P.O. Box 926, Canton, TX 75103-0926
Website: https://vzcad.org

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LandTally is an informational and record-keeping tool. It does not provide tax, legal, or appraisal advice, and is not affiliated with any county appraisal district. Requirements are set by your county and may change — always confirm details with your county appraisal district before acting.

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