How We Help You Get This Exemption
Hay meadow production is one of the most straightforward paths to agricultural valuation in Texas. If you're actively cutting, baling, and selling (or using) hay, your land likely qualifies for a 1-d-1 open-space valuation that can reduce your property taxes by thousands of dollars annually.
But "straightforward" doesn't mean "easy." Every county in Texas has its own intensity standard for hay production: a minimum number of bales per acre, or a minimum annual production level, that you must meet to maintain your exemption. Fall below your county's threshold, and you risk losing your valuation and facing rollback taxes.
Our team knows the hay production standards for every county in Texas. We've helped landowners in the Blackland Prairie document their coastal bermuda yields, and we've worked with Hill Country properties where native grass hay production meets different thresholds. We know what your county expects, and we make sure you meet it.
With our mapping and soil analysis data, we can even assess whether your meadow's soil composition supports the production levels your county requires. Sandy soil? Clay? Loamy clay? Each has different yield potential, and we factor that into your management strategy.
How We Help
What the County Requires (the hard part)
- Active hay production at your county's intensity standards
- Production records (bale counts, tonnage, sale receipts)
- 1-d-1 Agricultural Valuation application (Form 50-129)
- Evidence of consistent production over qualifying years
- County-specific bale count and acreage minimums
- Pasture management and fertilization documentation
What WE Do for You (the easy part)
- We know your county's minimum production thresholds before you start
- Our platform tracks your bale counts and production records throughout the season
- We pre-fill your application with accurate property and production data
- Our soil data predicts hay yield potential for your specific property
- We monitor your production levels and alert you if you're falling short
- We compile your evidence package in the format your county prefers
Our Technology for Hay Meadow Exemptions
Hay production exemptions depend on reliable production data and soil health. Our platform provides:
- Production Tracking: Log your cuttings, bale counts, and tonnage throughout the season. We calculate whether you're meeting your county's intensity standards in real time.
- Bale Count Verification: We help you document each cutting with photos and records that satisfy your county's evidentiary requirements.
- Meadow Health Analysis: Soil composition data helps predict yield potential. We identify whether your land needs amendments to sustain qualifying production levels.
- Seasonal Monitoring: Our platform tracks weather patterns and cutting schedules to help you optimize your hay production timeline.
- County Intensity Database: We maintain current intensity standards for every county in Texas, so you always know the production target you need to hit.
Requirements (We Handle All of This)
| Requirement | What's Needed | How We Handle It |
|---|
| Active Production | Must be actively cutting and baling hay at qualifying levels | We verify your production against county intensity standards |
| Production Records | Bale counts, tonnage, and sale/use documentation | Our platform tracks production throughout the season |
| Form 50-129 | 1-d-1 Agricultural Valuation application | We prepare and review your application annually |
| County Intensity | Must meet your county's minimum bales-per-acre or tonnage standard | We maintain current thresholds for all 254 counties |
| Consistent History | 5 of 7 years of agricultural use for qualifying properties | We document your production history for the qualifying period |
Our Process
Free Assessment
We analyze your property using our mapping data (soil composition, terrain, vegetation) and determine your eligibility.
Recommendation
We tell you exactly which exemption fits your land, the expected savings, and the requirements you'll need to meet.
Documentation
We gather photos, soil data, production records, and property evidence into a thorough application package.
Application
We fill out every form and review for errors. You review and sign. That's it.
Filing
We submit to your county appraisal district on time, every time.
Maintenance
We monitor your exemption, handle renewals, track deadlines, and ensure ongoing compliance year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bales per acre do I need to produce?
This varies a lot by county. Some counties require as few as 50 small square bales per acre, while others expect higher production. Coastal bermuda hay operations typically produce more per acre than native grass meadows, and counties account for these differences. We know the standard for your specific county.
Can I use the hay for my own livestock instead of selling it?
Yes. Hay production for your own agricultural operation counts toward qualifying use. You don't have to sell the hay commercially — but you do need to document production levels and use.
What if drought reduces my hay production one year?
Texas recognizes that weather impacts agricultural production. A single low-production year due to drought typically won't result in losing your valuation, especially if you can document the weather conditions and your continued management of the meadow. However, sustained low production can be a risk.
Do I need to fertilize my hay meadow?
While not universally required, fertilization is a sign of active management that appraisal districts look favorably on. It also helps maintain the production intensity your county requires. We can help you develop a fertilization plan appropriate for your soil type.
Can I hay just part of my property?
Yes. Many landowners hay a portion of their property while using the rest for other agricultural activities. We can help you determine the optimal acreage allocation for maximum tax savings.
Plans Starting at $49/yr
From self-service guides to full-service filing — choose the plan that fits your needs.