Friday, February 01, 2008
Energy Costs
Energy costs - and the associated rises in the prices of just about everything we use - are just killing me. Discretionary funds have had to be moved to other columns in our family budget. And my rabbit money has evaporated.
Does that sound a little familiar? I hope it doesn't, but I'm afraid that it does.
The consequence is that many of us are having to cut down our show schedules. I know it's necessary, but I hate it.
Rabbit clubs are really feeling the pinch. Judge bids and airplane tickets have to reflect the rising costs at the same time that exhibitors from beyond their local area are having to restrict their travel. Entry numbers have been falling in many area and for many clubs (a few have had record attendance, but they have been the exception, I fear).
So what's the solution? Well, I don't have a total solution (all of us winning the lottery isn't really a workable plan). But I do have one thought. If you have to forgo attending some rabbit shows, take more rabbits to the ones you go to.
If I skip two shows and save $100 in gasoline and $100 in hotel fees and $60 in entry fees, then I can enter quite a few extra rabbits in the next show that I do attend and still give my budget some relief.
Now some of you who show with me will say that I'm not following my own advice. I would be if it weren't for two things: first, I don't have that many rabbits left. I basically showed 20% of my adult herd at the last show - 5 rabbits. Second, I'm trying to work more with judges and I have to depend on others to put my rabbits on the table. Even if all ten of my bucks were good on the same day, I wouldn't want to ask anyone to put that many on the table - especially since they'd be in just two classes!
Bringing more rabbits, if you can, will accomplish two things. First, it will increase the chance that legs will be available. It's disappointing to get to the table and find out that even if your rabbit takes the class, it won't get a leg. (Yes, I know we Holland folks are spoiled that way. But remember, we only have 8 legs potentially available at each show, which is low compared to breeds such as Netherland Dwarf, Mini Rex, Jersey Woolies, etc.)
But the more important thing that it will accomplish is keeping rabbit clubs afloat. One day, the economy will improve and we'll all be able to travel more again. We want those clubs to survive in the mean time so they will be here when we want them.
So, cut out the shows if you have to. There's not really much choice there. But when you go to a show, really check your herd for show-worthy rabbits. If we all do that, then maybe our clubs can survive to put on yet another wonderful rabbit show.
Laurie ¶ 11:02 AM
Does that sound a little familiar? I hope it doesn't, but I'm afraid that it does.
The consequence is that many of us are having to cut down our show schedules. I know it's necessary, but I hate it.
Rabbit clubs are really feeling the pinch. Judge bids and airplane tickets have to reflect the rising costs at the same time that exhibitors from beyond their local area are having to restrict their travel. Entry numbers have been falling in many area and for many clubs (a few have had record attendance, but they have been the exception, I fear).
So what's the solution? Well, I don't have a total solution (all of us winning the lottery isn't really a workable plan). But I do have one thought. If you have to forgo attending some rabbit shows, take more rabbits to the ones you go to.
If I skip two shows and save $100 in gasoline and $100 in hotel fees and $60 in entry fees, then I can enter quite a few extra rabbits in the next show that I do attend and still give my budget some relief.
Now some of you who show with me will say that I'm not following my own advice. I would be if it weren't for two things: first, I don't have that many rabbits left. I basically showed 20% of my adult herd at the last show - 5 rabbits. Second, I'm trying to work more with judges and I have to depend on others to put my rabbits on the table. Even if all ten of my bucks were good on the same day, I wouldn't want to ask anyone to put that many on the table - especially since they'd be in just two classes!
Bringing more rabbits, if you can, will accomplish two things. First, it will increase the chance that legs will be available. It's disappointing to get to the table and find out that even if your rabbit takes the class, it won't get a leg. (Yes, I know we Holland folks are spoiled that way. But remember, we only have 8 legs potentially available at each show, which is low compared to breeds such as Netherland Dwarf, Mini Rex, Jersey Woolies, etc.)
But the more important thing that it will accomplish is keeping rabbit clubs afloat. One day, the economy will improve and we'll all be able to travel more again. We want those clubs to survive in the mean time so they will be here when we want them.
So, cut out the shows if you have to. There's not really much choice there. But when you go to a show, really check your herd for show-worthy rabbits. If we all do that, then maybe our clubs can survive to put on yet another wonderful rabbit show.
Laurie ¶ 11:02 AM
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I do so enjoy reading your posts each day...thank you for the insightful thoughts and information. I am glad you have started an archive where one can search for topics.
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