Bucket Daze: Herd Testing in the 1950s by Richard H Robinson

Published 2009 by Country Life NZ, softcover, 81 pages

A couple of small marks to cover, otherwise in great condition

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I can combine postage no problem should you buy multiple items

"Prompted by the LIC's excellent publication "100 Years of Herd Testing 1909-2009", I sought out my own notes typed up on the back of my truck during idle moments, when herd testing, I think, in 1956. Nothing further was done with them at the time because life got busy with marriage and, in unedited form, publishers weren't interested.

Fifty years on, the notes have historic interest. Then herds were averaging 50-60 cows, I was paid extra for herds over 90 cows, and family run. Today dairy farms have milkers and average 380 cows or more and herd testing is far more sophisticated. Gone are the days of having the tester to stay and gone too are the buckets.

Bucket Daze may bring back some memories. You may think you recognise some of my characters which wouldn't be surprising, nearly every group in the country had them. My people are composites and do not refer specifically to anyone.

Special thanks go to my ex-herd tester wife, Valerie, for proof reading and memories. She thought when I asked her, in 1956, about her experiences that I was interested in her and all I wanted was notes for a book!