Cattle Competition History

Development of early stock

From the beginning, the founding members of the RAS were committed to the development of early cattle stocks in the Colony. The Society’s original 1822 prospectus states:

When we contemplate our Colony, as adapted to breeding of cattle, we have great reason to be satisfied; for, with very small efforts, we have attained to considerable merit in our horned stock…The importation of still finer breeds will raise our cattle to excellence, and make them eagerly sought for in the markets… 

To that end a subscription fund was established for the purpose of importing improved breeds of cattle and other livestock, and prizes were awarded at the first Show in 1823 to recognise superior animals. Three of the original thirteen classes at that Show were for cattle:

Best Colonial-bred Bull, not more than three years old

Second-best Colonial-bred Bull, not more than three years old

Best two-year old heifer, Colonial-bred

In 1858 when the Society reconstituted itself (initially as the Cumberland Agricultural Society) its prize schedule noted awards for:

Best & second-best bull, any age

Best & second-best bull, two years old

Best & second-best cow, any age

Best & second-best heifer, two years old

Best & second-best fat bullock

Best & second-best fat cow

Classes were divided into Colonial Bred and Imported, but these were further divided into breeds for the first time in 1862 with Durhams, Hereford, and Devons listed. Separate dairy breeds were not introduced until 1875.

During this period important support for the cattle industry was provided when the first Australian Stud and Herd Book was published by the Society in 1870.

Many breed classes and other innovations have been introduced over the years (see the timeline below).

Timeline of Competition

(Please note: some breeds are no longer shown or may have not been shown consistently following their first appearance.)

• 1862  Separate breeds listed for the first time: Durhams, Herefords, and Devons.
• 1870  New breed – Beef Shorthorn
• 1870  Society publishes the first Australian Stud and Herd Book
• 1870-1871  Non-competitive entries of Buffalo
• 1871  New breed – Devon
• 1875  New breeds – Angus or Polled Scots, Ayrshire, Alderney, Brittany
• 1875  Stockman's prizes given for the stockman who brings his master's stock to the show in the best condition (this year only)
• 1887  New breed – Jersey, Guernsey
• 1891/1892  New breed – Holstein-Friesian
• 1899  New breed – Red Polled & Black Polled (with the exception of Polled Scots, previously classes for ‘polled cattle’ in general)
• 1899  New breed – Kerry
• 1899  Introduction of weight-guessing competition
• 1901  Introduction of milk & butter test competitions
• 1903  New breed – Dairy Shorthorn
• 1906  Fat Cattle introduced (previously in a separate competition called Fat Stock)
• 1908  New breed – Dexter-Kerries
• 1912  New breed – Australian Illawarra Shorthorn
• 1914  New breed – Lincoln Red Shorthorn
• 1919  No Show due to influenza outbreak
• 1920  New breed – South Devon
• 1935  New breed – Poll Hereford, Poll Shorthorn
• 1938  Introduction of cattle judging competitions
• 1940  Introduction of herdsman’s competitions
• 1942-1946  No show due to WWII and military occupation of the showground
• 1953  New breed – Galloway
• 1956  New breed – Santa Gertrudis
• 1958  Introduction of inter-breed competitions for dairy cattle
• 1960  New breed – Angus
• 1964  New breed – Polled Devons, Brahmans
• 1967  New breed – Murray Grey
• 1967  Fat Cattle renamed Steer & Carcase
• 1970  New breed – Braford, Droughtmaster
• 1971  New breed – Brangus
• 1971  Scanogram introduced for use in cattle judging
• 1972  New breed – Charolais
• 1976  New breed – Simmental
• 1977  New breed – Lincoln Red, Limousin
• 1978  New breed – Chianina, Maine-Anjou, Belted Galloway
• 1979  New breed – Marchigiana, Romagnola
• 1981  Introduction of Supreme Beef Championship
• 1982  Special prize (medallion) awarded to best beef cattle and best cattle, as part of 100yrs at Moore Park celebrations
• 1984  New breed – Mandalong Specials
• 1986  Beef and dairy cattle move to separate sections
• 1987  New breed – British White, Sahiwal, Salers
• 1987  Introduction of Best Maintained Breed Competition, divided into beef & dairy cattle
• 1988  New breed – Brown Swiss
• 1989  New breed – Blonde D’Aquitaine
• 1989  Introduction of Young Auctioneers’ Competition
• 1990  New breed – Red Angus
• 1991  New breed – Belgian Blue, Gelbvieh
• 1992  New breed – Braunvieh, Highland, Piedmontese, Pinzgauer, Wagyu
• 1993  New breed – Charbray
• 1995  New breed – Tarentaise, Lowline
• 1996  New breed – Dexter
• 1998  New breed – Square Meater
• 1999  New breed – Bazadais
• 2000  New breed – Fleckvieh
• 2003  Introduction of Heifer Show
• 2010  New breed – Bazadais, Speckle Park
• 2011  New breed – Welsh Black
• 2018  New breed – Simmental-Fleckvieh
  

  For a complete list of Supreme Dairy Cow winners, click here.