Agriculture
Ochiltree County Is a Major Wheat-Farming Area
If you are buying rural land in Ochiltree County, knowing the local farm economy and ag-use tax rules matters as much as the price.
Ochiltree County is one of Texas's top wheat-producing counties. The county also raises cattle and swine and grows corn and grain sorghum. By the early 1980s, about 40 percent of the county's cropland was irrigated. The Panhandle sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, the main underground water source for High Plains irrigation. Dryland wheat farming is common on the rest of the county.
If you own rural land and actively farm or ranch it, you may qualify for an agricultural valuation. This is sometimes called ag-use valuation or productivity appraisal. It means the land is taxed on what it can produce, not on its full market value. That can cut your property tax bill by a lot.
To apply, contact the Ochiltree County Appraisal District. There are rules about how much acreage you need and how the land must be used. The Texas Comptroller's website explains how ag valuation works across the state.
Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas — Ochiltree County