Permanent Working Pen

2025-2026 TAEP Application A

50% Cost Share – Maximum Reimbursement - $4,000

The amount of payment is based upon 50% of expenses incurred for eligible program items up to the program maximum. Reimbursement for labor cannot exceed 30% of total reimbursement. Material and labor costs must be itemized on invoice.

Applicant Responsibility

It is the applicant’s responsibility to review all TAEP program requirements prior to applying for cost share. Applicant must qualify for program selected at time of application to be considered for approval.

Applicant Eligibility
Educational Requirements
Reimbursement Requirements
Verification Requirements
Applying for TAEP

Minimum Requirements

Cattle – 30 head or Goats/Sheep – 50 head

Applicant must meet at least one of the minimum requirements of head of livestock for program. Verification of minimum requirements may be requested prior to approval. Head of Livestock = maximum number of single type, regardless of sex or age, at any one time during the last 12 months. Goats/Sheep can be combined to meet minimum head requirement.

Eligible Items & Requirements – Print Version

Eligible Items & Requirements

Permanent Working Pen — the purpose of this pen is for receiving, separating, weaning, or holding livestock prior to working and/or loading. Pen must be permanent and all four sides must be new construction.

Requirements
•    New construction only
    •    Pen must be permanent and all four sides must be new construction
    •    Multiple pens allowed
    •    Not eligible - pens built from existing fences/pens/structures; fencing - perimeter
•    Maximum size — 10,000 sq. ft.
•    Minimum size — 600 sq. ft.
•    Rails — minimum of (4) lumber/pipe rails or (3) guardrails
    •    Not eligible – construction of alley way, crowding tub, and/or bud box
    •    Not eligible – portable corral panels and wire panels
    •    Not eligible – pens built from existing fences/pens/structures
    •    Not eligible – perimeter fencing

Eligible Material & Labor
•    Treated lumber
    •    Boards (min. 2 in. x 6 in.)
    •    Wood posts (min. 6 in.)
•    Metal
    •    Guard rail
    •    I-beams
•    Pipe
    •    Continuous pipe panels (min. 16 gauge)
    •    Pipe posts
    •    Not eligible – portable corral panels and wire panels
•    Gates
    •    Minimum 2 in. diameter — 16-gauge tubes
    •    Minimum length 8 ft.
    •    Must be installed at time of reimbursement
•    Labor for construction of permanent working pen
    •    Labor must be itemized on invoice
    •    Labor cannot exceed 30% of total reimbursement
    •    Labor provided by applicant is not eligible

Reimbursement Request Deadline – August 1, 2026

Allowable purchase dates for Working Structures & Fence-line Systems are from October 1, 2025 – August 1, 2026.
All items, regardless of backorder status, must be purchased (paid in full or financed) by the program reimbursement deadline. Backordered items may be ineligible for cost share if not delivered to the farm by the program deadline.
Receipts must be in the name of the applicant approved for cost share funding.
Quotes and purchase orders do not represent a purchase and are not considered receipts.
Proof of payment may be requested to verify purchase.
See “Reimbursement Requirements” link at the top of the page for more information.