Walker County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Walker County lies in the East Texas Piney Woods north of Houston, centered on Huntsville, where cattle and horse operations, hay production, small livestock, orchards, and apiaries are among the uses addressed by the CAD. Walker CAD's guide is particularly helpful for smaller operations because it pairs acreage thresholds with livestock head-count requirements and a defined five-to-twenty-acre beekeeping formula.
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
- Documentation of management practices, expenses and sales, if necessary: feed/fertilizer invoices, equipment invoices, sales receipts, labor expenses, and an IRS Schedule F
Discretionary Caveats
"Grazing intensity standards not found in published document — confirm with CAD."
"Land owner may be asked to provide documentation of management practices, expenses and sales, if necessary."
"Each application will be considered on a case by case basis."
"Each application will be considered on its own merits."
"Exceptions to the general rule will be handled on a case-by-case basis."
"The minimum headcount of any animal must increase proportionately to the number of acres in order to maintain a level of intensity for the area."
Frequently Asked Questions — Walker County
- Walker CAD requires 6 hives for the first 5 acres and one additional hive for each additional 2.5 acres. The 7.5 acres beyond the first 5 add 7.5 ÷ 2.5 = 3 hives, so 12.5 acres requires 9 hives.
- Yes. The guideline says at least 5 acres is typically needed for hay and asks for proof of 2 cuttings in normal, non-drought years. A 5-acre hay operation meets that stated acreage threshold, subject to the CAD's review of its production evidence.
- Walker CAD lists at least 3 acres for truck farms and at least 3 acres for orchards and vineyards. A 3-acre tract reaches each published activity-specific acreage threshold; truck farms must also be managed intensively with proof that produce is sold wholesale to the public if the operation is small.
- No. The guideline says grazing generally needs 10 or more acres and lists minimum livestock head counts—for example, 5 cattle or horses, 10 nannies, or 10 ewes—but it does not publish an acres-per-animal-unit table. Confirm the applicable stocking level with the CAD.
Walker County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 936-295-0402
- info@walkercad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 1798 Huntsville, TX 77342-1798
- Website
- https://walkercad.org
Nearby Counties
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