Wharton County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Wharton County lies on the Gulf Coastal Plain southwest of Houston, where cattle pasture, hay production, row crops, and apiaries are among the agricultural operations addressed by the CAD. Wharton CAD's 2026 guidelines are particularly useful because they pair distinct improved-, native-, and timberland-pasture stocking rates with detailed minimums for livestock, hay, cropland, and beekeeping.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| improved pasture | 3 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| native pasture | 6 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| timberland | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cow | 1 | County-published |
| cow calf | 1 | County-published |
| horse | 1 | County-published |
| bull | 1.5 | County-published |
| 500 pound calf | 0.5 | County-published |
| colt | 0.5 | County-published |
| goat | 0.2 | County-published |
| sheep | 0.2 | County-published |
| miniature horse | 1 | County-published |
| miniature donkey | 0.5 | County-published |
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Discretionary Caveats
"Operator may be asked to provide documentation of management practices, expenses and sales, if necessary. For example – feed/fertilizer invoices, equipment invoices, sales receipts, labor expenses, IRS Schedule F."
"Operator may be asked to show evidence that he is not engaged in a hobby according to the guidelines set out in Reference Section 183 of the I.R.S. Regulations. ( See Attached)"
"These guidelines are used as a general guide for qualifying land. There may be circumstances in your agricultural operation, which allow it to qualify based upon its own merit. Very rare exceptions to the general rule will be handled on a case by case basis."
"It should be noted that 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."
Frequently Asked Questions — Wharton County
- Wharton CAD's improved-pasture standard is 1 animal unit per 3 acres. Dividing 30 acres by 3 acres per AU gives 10 animal units; its cattle guideline also lists a minimum of 3 head on at least 10 acres.
- Thirteen acres falls in Wharton CAD's 12.5–14.9-acre beekeeping band, which requires 9 hives. The hives must be on-site for at least 7 months each year.
- The hay-meadow guideline requires 4 round bales or 100 square bales per acre each year and at least 3 cuttings. For 8 acres, that is 32 round bales or 800 square bales annually, with at least 3 cuttings.
Wharton County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 979-532-8931
- Address
- 308 E. Milam St. Wharton, TX 77488-4918
- Website
- https://www.whartoncad.net
Nearby Counties
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