[Jacob-list] Checkers & Jacob Sheep

[stonecroft235 at juno.com]

Peggy asked about past breeders and I found myself mulling over that.  
One thing I've observed in the last 8 years regarding Jacob sheep
breeders..........it is a constantly changing landscape.  Some breeders
simply over the years age and no longer can keep up with the physical
requirements, some move on to other interests, some decide it's not for
them, and some can't afford it, etc.  It is important (in my opinion) to
maintain honesty regarding these sheep.............you will not earn a
living raising Jacob sheep...........you will be lucky if you break
even.........and the people who say they are breaking even are many times
not counting their labor both in caring for the animals, in marketing
their products, not adding in the costs of vehicles/gas to run all over
the country buying and selling, not figuring in their land taxes, housing
& fencing expenses, etc. -- simply said, most people don't factor in all
the costs.    It appears to me that raising Jacob sheep is a hobby and an
individual attempt to preserve a breed -- yes, there are markets for
freezer lamb, fleece, etc. but like all of agriculture today, you would
need a massive operation to make it fiscally productive - and even then
it's a losing proposition due to cheap imports of fiber & meat.  Here
where I live good farmland is selling for anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000
per acre (or higher), millage on school taxes increases
yearly.........and that's just the land cost.   We look at our Jacobs as
a hobby - some people have horses, some collect antique cars, some travel
extensively  ---  we have sheep -- for now!!  And as we age we will
probably downsize and eventually leave this hobby behind and adopt
something that doesn't require us to walk through hip deep snow in zero
degrees -- something nice and easy like playing bridge or checkers!!!!   
Oh, I know - that does sound incredibly boring for now.............but we
are already middle aged.............and we  know that all the old geezers
we see playing checkers didn't always do that -- in their prime they were
kicking their heels and having fun ..........and probably finding it hard
to imagine that a day would ever come when they would enjoy something as
boring as checkers!!!!!!

Sue Martin
Stonecroft

________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!