Young County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Young County lies west of the Dallas–Fort Worth area around Graham, where cattle grazing, crop production, and specialized agricultural operations are all recognized uses. Young CAD's guide is particularly useful because it pairs minimum herd sizes with pasture-specific stocking ratios and gives a complete active-hive schedule for 5–20-acre apiaries.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Improved (Dry) | 10 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Native Range | 20 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Below Average | 30 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Wasteland | 60 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 |
|---|---|---|
| stocker calf | 0.33 | County-published |
| yearling | 0.5 | County-published |
| bull | 1.3 | County-published |
| ram | 0.2 | County-published |
| buck goat | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| yearling horse | 1 | County-published |
| two year old horse | 1.5 | County-published |
| mature cow with calf up to 6 months | 1 | County-published |
| ewe | 0.2 | County-published |
| doe goat | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| deer | 0.1428571429 | County-published |
| three year old horse | 2 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Young 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. An annual wildlife management plan report is required.
Land must have been qualified and appraised as open-space agriculture land or as timber land in the year prior to conversion to wildlife management use. Must submit an application and a management plan between January 1 and April 30 of the tax year, perform at least 3 of 7 management practices each year, and provide a map with the location of management practices.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Texas Parks and Wildlife form TPWD 885-W7000 or similar wildlife management plan, if applying for wildlife management
- Map with the location of wildlife management practices, if applying for wildlife management
- Annual report on or similar to form PWD 888-W7000 describing how the wildlife management plan was implemented
Discretionary Caveats
"Whether or not the owner has the intent to produce agriculture products is determined by the Chief Appraiser."
"All application approvals will be on a case by case basis."
"If a tract shows no activity and this lack of activity is because of disaster (drought, flood, etc.) reasons, these standards may be set-aside for the year that the disaster occurs."
"These standards are subject to periodic review by the agricultural advisory board to keep them current with what is typical agriculture practice in Young County."
Frequently Asked Questions — Young County
- Young CAD lists a typical cow/calf herd size of 5 head, equivalent to 5+ animal units. At 10 acres per animal unit on improved dry pasture, 5 animal units require 50 acres (5 × 10 = 50).
- Young CAD's apiary schedule requires 9 active hives on 12.5 acres. The hives must also be located on the property for at least 7 months of the calendar year.
- Truck farming has the smallest published threshold: 2+ acres. The guide lists 20 acres for row crops and 3+ acres for orchards, vineyards, and floriculture.
- The land must have been appraised as open-space agricultural or timber land in the prior year. The owner must submit a management plan, map the practices, carry out at least 3 of 7 practices each year, and provide an annual implementation report.
Young Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 940-549-2392
- youngcad@youngcad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 337, Graham, TX 76450-0337
- Website
- https://youngcad.org
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