NOTES TO PRODUCTIVITY GUIDELINES

 

1.         TO QUALIFY AG USE, LAND MUST BE USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES TO THE DEGREE OF INTENSITY TYPICAL IN THE AREA. THIS TEST IS INTENDED TO EXCLUDE "HOBBY" FARMS OR RANCHES AND LAND ON WHICH TOKEN AGRICULTURAL/TIMBER USE OCCURS IN AN

EFFORT TO OBTAIN TAX RELIEF. IN ADDITION, TO QUALIFY FOR AGRICULTURAL/TIMBER VALUE THE LAW REQUIRES AGRICULTURAL/TIMBER USE TO BE THE PRIMARY USE.

 

2.      ACCORDING TO THE PROPERTY TAX CODE AGRICULATURAL/TIMBER PROPERTY SHOULD BE MANAGED WITH INTENT TO PRODUCE INCOME.

 

3.         FOR A TRACT OF LAND TO QUALIFY FOR PRODUCTIVITY VALUE IT MUST BE SUBSTANTIAL. SUBSTANIAL IS DEFINED AS A TRACT OF LAND ADEQUATE IN SIZE TO SUPPORT A TYPICALLY PRUDENT OPERATION. THE AG BOARD AND CHIEF APPRAISER HAVE ESTABLISHED MINIMUM GUIDELINES FOR ALL MAJOR AG AND TIMBER CATEGORIES.

 

4. VARIANCE IN DEGREES OF INTENSITY WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS FOR PERSONS 65 OR OLDER WHO LIVE ON THE PROPERTY.

 

5.      TO QUAILFY THE PROPERTY MUST HAVE A HISTORY OF AG OR TIMBER USE FOR FIVE (5) OF THE LAST SEVEN (7) YEARS.

 

6.      FOR QUALIFICATION PURPOSES, OTHER LAND OWNED OR LEASED MAY BE COMBINED TO SATISFIED DEGREE OF INTENSITY GUIDELINES.

 

7.      HORSES RAISED AND SOW TO THE PUBLIC QUALIFIES FOR AG USE. HORSES STABLED, TRAINED OR USED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES DO NOT NORMALLY QUALIFY THE LAND FOR AG USE.

 

8.       PROPERTY MUST BE IN USE, UNDER CULTIVATION OR ANIMALS ON LAND BY JANUARY 1st OF YEAR OF APPLICATION TO QUALIFY FOR THAT YEAR.

 

9.      TYPICAL EVIDENCE OF AG USE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

A.   LEASE AGREEMENT

B.      EXPENSE RECEIPTS OR CANCELED CHECKS.

C.   PRODUCT OR LIVESTOCK SALES RECEIPTS. PICTURES (LE. HAY BALES)

E.   MEMBERS FSA FARM PROGRAM.

F.    MEMBER OF LIVESTOCK OR FARM ASSOCIATIONS.

 


10.      WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IS CONSIDERED AGRICULTURE USE UNDER THE LAW. THE OWNER OF LAND USED FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT MUST PERFORM THREE(3) OF THE FOLLOWING SEVEN (7) ACTIVITIES:

 

A.        HABITAT CONTROL (HABITAT MANAGEMENT) - MEANS ACTIVITY USING LAND TO CREATE OR PROMOTE ENVIRONMENT THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO WILDLIFE.

B.        EROSION CONTROL - MEANS PRACTICES THAT ATTEMPT TO REDUCE OR CONTROL SOIL EROSION.

C.        PREDATOR CONTROL - MEANS PRACTICES INTENDED TO MANAGE POPULATION OF PREDATORS TO BENEFIT TARGET WILDLIFE POPULATION,

D.        SUPPLEMENT WATER SUPPLIES - MEANS OWNER ACTIVELY PROVIDES WATER IN ADDITION TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

E.        SHELTER - MEANS ACTIVELY CREATING OR MAINTAINING VEGETATION OR ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURES THAT PROVIDE SHELTER FROM WEATHER, ESCAPE COVER FROM ENEMIES OR NESTING AND BREEDING SITES.

F.         CENSUS COUNTS - MEANS PERIODIC SURVEYS TO DETERMINE NUMBER AND COMPOSITION OF TARGET WILDLIFE POPULATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

G.        SUPPLEMENT FOOD SUPPLIES - MOST WILDLIFE ENVIRONMENTS HAVE SOME NATURAL FOOD. AN OWNER SUPPLIES SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD BY PROVIDING FOOD OR NUTRITION IN ADDITION TO THE LEVEL NATURALLY PRODUCED ON THE LAND.

 

11. NO DETERMINATION TO ROLLBACK AG OR TIIVIBER PROPERTY WILL BE MADE UNLESS AN ACTUAL CHANGE OF USE OCCURS; NOT DISCONTINUED USE.

 

12. TYPICAL EVIDENCE OF TIMBER ARE AS FOLLOWS:

A.        DOCUMENTED RECORD OF TIMBER SALE ACTIVITY,

B.        DOCUMENTED RECORD OF TIMBER MANAGEMENT PLAN.

 

13. THESE GUIDELINES SHOULD BE USED AS A GENERAL RULE. THERE MAY BE OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES OR FACTORS WHICH MERIT CONSIDERATION. THESE VARIANCES FROM THE GENERAL RULE WILL BE HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.


PRODUCTIVITY VALUATION GUIDELINES

Pasture

Native

Improved

15 Acre

15 Acre

Fenced on 4 sides with access to water.

Maintain 1 animal unit per 5 acres with a

minimum of 3 animal units (Animal Units =

1 cow; I brood mare; 5 goats or sheep)

Same as Native except I animal per 3 acres.

 

Dry crop

Hay

5 Acre

Fertilized and cut twice per year weather

Permitting. 3 rounds or 50 square bales per

Acre.

Aquaculture

 

5 Acre

Man made tanks with proof of stocking and

Sales.

Diversified

Orchards

Christmas Trees

2 Acre

5 Acre

50 trees per acre. Must be marketing produce

(Wholesale or retail).

400 trees per acre less than 10' tall shaped

Twice per year.

Wildlife

Management

 

50 Acre

Must have qualified for Ag the year prior to

Conversion. Wildlife Management plan

Required.

Timber

Pine

Mixed

Hardwood

10 Acre

10 Acre

10 Acre

Timber Management plan suggested for all

Timber types.