I first read that in junior high school. It was hard to get through the opening sequence about the calf-delivery, but after that it picked up. It’s amazing how things like that stick with you for 35 years!
Yep! Herriot could have perhaps chosen a better opening. But even then the sequence had its share of humor. Do you remember Uncle, who was observing, and making unhelpful suggestions the whole time?
By the way, Herriot's books are now on Audible. I'm actually listening to the Audible version of the book. Like you, I read the hard-copy version years ago.