1. A record has been made of the volume of the trade in surplus calves in Great Britain for the period 1940–50; it has averaged one and a quarter million calves each year. The highest numbers sold in any year occurred in 1946 (Fig. 1).

2. The seasonality of calf sales showing an annual increasing volume of autumn calves (with October the peak month) is a reflexion of the development of dairying and of the priority for winter milk (Fig. 2A and Fig. 3, Sheets 1 and 2).

3. Of the total calves 46.7% were classified as bobbies and 50.8% as veals. The small remainder consisted of stirkies (other strong calves), casualties and those unfit for human consumption (Table 1).

4. Nearly 63% of the veals were 3rd quality and only about 12% of the 1st quality.

5. The seasonality of veal deliveries showed a maximum proportion in June (with a correspondingly lower proportion of bobbies in that month). The maximum numbers however correspond with the maximum gross deliveries in October (Fig. 2B).

6. There has been an annual deterioration in the quality of the surplus calves as indicated by: (a) the lower proportions of veals in the total during each year, (b) the higher proportions of 3rd quality veals in the total veals each year, and (c) the reduction in the monthly proportions of 1st quality veals.

7. An attempt has been made to relate the calf sales to calf births and populations of under 1-year-old cattle and of total cows.

8. It is estimated that the calf crop as a percentage of the total cows has improved since 1940, and for the last 8 years it has averaged 92%.