I bought 40 acres this past year, 2 of the acres has a trailer house, the other 38 acres has been ag exemption for many years.

The guy I bought it from said he used to run 2-4 cows on it but has not in a number of years due to severe drought conditions in North Texas.

The drought restrictions in the area currently do not allow watering of livestock; There are two very very small ponds, one is dry, the other is muddy at the bottom at best. Water must be trucked in for livestock.

I received the paper work for me to file for the Ag exemption; I am happy to place a few cows for the exemption, but with the drought, I cannot do it plus I think it would be cruel to the animals.

I talked to our Ag Ex Agent who told me 'Just fill out the paper work like you would if you had cows, but just don't put anything out there until this situation gets better with the water. They are not going to check you anyways and they have to overlook it because of the drought'.

I am a professional and do not wish to lie on anything I am sending to the state, so I just wanted to see if I could get any suggestions on here as to what to do? The paper work they sent does say "..the land may remain idle if the governor declares a drought....as long as you return the land to pre drought ag intensity" That is in the informational packet but the actual paper work to fill out does not reference that anywhere.

Any ideas? I am lost on who to call? Am I just thinking this through too hard? Should I just fill it out like I intend to have cows and see what happens? Of course the bottom says you might be convicted of a felony blah blah blah...

A last though is pursing the Wildlife Exemption, should I do that instead?

Has the governor declared a drought?

you called your AG extension agent, who gave you the correct answer.


Go with it.

when the drought lifts you resume a normal stocking rate

x 2

Yep. Trophy's right...On a lighter note, you seem very cautious, which is good. My Wife is the same way, she ALWAYS questions my decisions. It's just in her DNA. She's a CPA and is scared witless she'll do something to jeopardize her license. Not gonna' happen. Don't overthink it, just roll with it.

Have you checked on the central appraisal district's website to see if your property has retained it's ag exemption? You can search for you property details there. If it has I would leave it well enough alone. If it does not show the exemption you will need to address it sooner or later.. Appraisers in a severe drought county should be sympathetic to the situation. If they are not then escalate your appeal that the land has not changed it's use. This may require a visit with the chief appraiser or an appeal to the Appraisal Review Board. If that doesn't work you can always file a lawsuit.

I wouldn't sweat it. However, when I got rid of cows, I filed for a Wildlife Exemption and the taxes have stayed the same. Check it out.