How many cattle do I need on 35 acres of native pasture in Waller County?

Waller CAD’s native-pasture standard is one animal unit per 7 acres, so 35 acres supports 5 animal units. That also meets the district’s stated minimum of five animal units for a cattle operation.

How many active hives are needed on 12 acres in Waller County?

A 12-acre tract falls in Waller CAD’s 10.01–15-acre band, which requires at least 7 active hives. The hives must be on the property for at least seven months of the year.

Can Waller County land qualify under wildlife management?

Yes, if it already has 1-d-1 open-space agricultural valuation. The owner needs a formal wildlife management plan and must implement at least 3 recognized management practices.

Waller County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

Last verified 2026-07-11 · Source: Waller County Appraisal District official guidelines

Waller County is on the prairie northwest of Houston, where cattle, horse, hay, and commercial crop operations sit alongside rapidly growing small-acreage development. The county’s standards make productive pasture management especially important: they set both stocking rates and five-animal-unit minimums for cattle operations.

Min. Acreage

10 ac

History Requirement

Land must have been devoted principally to agricultural use for five of the preceding seven years; land within a city or town must have been devoted continuously for the preceding five years.

Application Window

January 1 – April 30

CAD Phone

(979) 921-0060

Grazing Intensity Standards

Pasture Type	Acres per Animal Unit	Confidence
improved	5 acres / AU	✓ Verified
native	7 acres / AU	✓ Verified

Beekeeping Intensity Standards

Acreage Range	Base Hives	Extra Hives/Acre (above base)	Confidence
5–20 acres	5	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
cow calf	1	County-published
horse	1	County-published

Wildlife Management Option

Waller 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.

Wildlife management applies only to land already receiving 1-d-1 open-space agricultural valuation. A formal wildlife-biologist recommendation (wildlife management plan) is required, and the owner must implement at least three listed practices.

Required Documents

Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Written lease agreement between the owner and operator, if applicable
Receipts for feed or fertilizer, proof of harvest sales, profit/loss statements (Schedule F), or income-tax returns as evidence of use
Formal wildlife management plan and recommendation from a regulatory wildlife biologist, if applying for wildlife management

Discretionary Caveats

⚠ Not a fixed rule — confirm with the CAD.

"These guidelines are to be used as a general guide for qualifying agricultural land. Exceptions to the general rule will be handled on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Chief Appraiser."

Frequently Asked Questions — Waller County

: Waller CAD’s native-pasture standard is one animal unit per 7 acres, so 35 acres supports 5 animal units. That also meets the district’s stated minimum of five animal units for a cattle operation.
: A 12-acre tract falls in Waller CAD’s 10.01–15-acre band, which requires at least 7 active hives. The hives must be on the property for at least seven months of the year.
: Yes, if it already has 1-d-1 open-space agricultural valuation. The owner needs a formal wildlife management plan and must implement at least 3 recognized management practices.

Waller County Appraisal District

Phone: (979) 921-0060
Email: beckyg@waller-cad.org
Address: 900 13th St., Hempstead, TX 77445-5155
Website: https://waller-cad.org

Nearby Counties

See all documented counties →

Learn the Basics

Get a free reminder before Waller County's next ag exemption deadline

Join the waitlist — we'll email you before the dates that matter, and you'll get first access to the app when it's ready.

Join the waitlist

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.

Spotted an error or outdated information? Let us know →