Wilson County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Wilson County lies southeast of San Antonio in the South Texas Plains, with cattle, hay, grain, sorghum, corn, peanuts, wheat, orchards, and small-acreage bee operations all addressed by the local policy. Wilson CAD's guide is particularly useful for its concrete livestock-per-ten-acre threshold and detailed 5-to-20-acre hive table, while also warning owners of residential tracts under 10 acres that principal-use treatment matters.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Livestock/Hay | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Wheat (grazed) | 1.5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 3 | 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 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 |
Wildlife Management Option
Wilson County allows wildlife management as a qualifying use. Landowners must implement at least 0 of the seven recognized wildlife management practices defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Wildlife Management- Qualified agricultural properties that have filed and are following a 5 year wildlife management plan.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-D-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
Discretionary Caveats
"The principle use of any tract less than 10 acres with a residence will generally be considered residential."
"Smaller acreage tracts may qualify if it is a part of a larger operation and used at a level which meets the Degree if Intensity Standard of the Wilson County Appraisal District."
"The Wilson County Appraisal District realizes some exceptions to the norm and will review each applicant’s situation on an individual basis."
"Minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
"County-specific animal-unit equivalencies not found in published document — statewide defaults used."
"Wildlife minimum-practice and annual-report requirements not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — Wilson County
- Wilson CAD states that livestock production is one unit per 10 acres and lists Beef Cattle-Cow at 2 cows with 2 calves per year as the production-unit minimum. Therefore, 10 acres supports the district's stated minimum unit of 2 cows.
- A 15-acre tract falls in Wilson CAD's 13.5–15-acre beekeeping band, which requires 7 hives.
- Wilson CAD's table lists 10 hives at 20 acres. Its guidelines also state that 20 acres is the maximum tract size and 10 mainframe hives is the maximum at that acreage.
- Wilson CAD requires grazed wheat to support 1 animal unit per 1.5 acres. On 15 acres, 15 ÷ 1.5 = 10 animal units.
Wilson County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 830-393-3065
- wilsoncad@wilson-cad.org
- Address
- 1611 Railroad St. Floresville, TX 78114-1825
- Website
- https://wilson-cad.org
Nearby Counties
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