The Society has been involved with developing and improving cattle stocks since its inception in 1822.   It is assumed that a Cattle section and Competitions have always been part of the Societies Shows, from the first in 1823.   The earliest existing record of Cattle Competitions at the Show, the 1858 prize schedule, contains a number of Cattle Competitions including;

• Best & second best bull, any age
• Best & second best bull, 2 years old
• Best & second best cow, any age
• Best & second best heifer, 2 years old
• Best & second best fat bullock
• Best & second best fat cow

The RAS has always been involved in setting the benchmarks for stock and breeding throughout Australia.  In 1870 the RAS published the first Australian Stud and Herd Book.

RAS Competitions recognise the best of the best and reward the achievements of Australian breeders.  Currently the Cattle section awards 43 Perpetual Trophies. 

There are now 3 main Pavilions that show Cattle at the Sydney Royal.  The Downes Pavilion is named in honour of the Downes family whose legacy within the NSW Cattle arena dates back to the mid 1800s.  Jeremiah Frederick Downes brought his family to Australia in 1858, where he became Vice President of the Cumberland Agricultural Society.   His son, the Hon Frederick William Arthur Downes (1855-1917) was a member of Society's Council from 1909 to 1917.  Frederick’s son, Edgar Henry Kirk Downes (1884-1953) was a member of the RAS Council from 1931 to 1953 and his son Robert John Frederick Downes was elected to Council in 1952, becoming a Vice-President in 1969.  His son Edgar Downes continues the family tradition as a RAS Councillor and member of the Cattle Committee. 

The McIntosh Pavilion was named for the McIntosh family whose involvement with the RAS began with Frederick Andrew McIntosh OBE (1929-1975).  He was a Councillor from 1950 to 1975, a Vice-President from 1965 and an Honorary Vice-President in 1975.  Among his many other achievements and contributions to the Australian Cattle industry he was awarded an OBE for his services to the Australian Cattle industry.  His son Bruce Frederick McIntosh OAM, was elected to Council in 1974 and became a Vice-President in 1990.  He served or serves on the Cattle, School and Education, Pig, Woodchopping, Dairy Produce, Goat, Animal Nursery and Fodder Committees. 

The White Pavilion stands in recognition of the contributions of the White family.  James and Sarah White arrived in Sydney in 1826 and acquired land in the Hunter River District.  The couple had seven sons and two daughters.  The eldest son, James White (1828-1890) was a Council Member of the Agricultural Society from 1870 to 1881 and a Vice-President from 1877.  He died childless but his brother, Francis (1830-1875), was succeeded by a daughter and six sons.  The six brothers divided the family estates and all were involved in the Australian stock industry.  One of Francis John White son's, Colonel Harold Fletcher (Bill) White DSO., C de G (1883-1971) served as a Councillor of the RAS from 1932-1934.  David Hinter White of Havilah elected to Council in 1962 and as a Vice-President in 1978, was one of the best known figures in Australia's agriculture and livestock industries.  Peter Denis White AM was elected to Council in 1981 and became Assistant Ringmaster in 1984.  Two other members of the White family are Council members.  Geoffrey Bernard White is a civil engineer, Chairman and Chief Executive of White Industries Group, Chairman of AUR N.L. and ULAN coal mines and Vice-President of the Employers Federation of NSW and Michael White, joined the Council in 1966 and became a Vice-President in 1985. 

Timeline

1869	Breeds shown – Durham, Hereford, Dairy breeds but not specified (until 1875)
1870	New breed – Beef Shorthorn
1870-1871	Non-competitive entries of Buffalo
1871	New breed – Devon
1875	New breed – Angus, Polled Scots, Ayrshire, Alderney, Brittany Stockman's prizes - stockman who brings his master's stock to the show in the best condition (this year only)
1887	New breed – Jersey, Guernsey
1891 or 1892	New breed – Holstein-Friesian
1897-1899	New breed – Red Polled & Black Polled (with the exception of Polled Scots, previously classes for ‘polled cattle’ in general) New breed – Kerry Introduction of weight-guessing Competition
1901	Introduction of milk & butter test competitions
1903	New breed – Dairy Shorthorn
1906	New breed – Aberdeen-Angus Fat Cattle (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 Fat Cattle renamed Steer & Carcase
1970	New breed – Braford, Droughtmaster
1971	New breed – Brangus 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 Introduction of Best Maintained Breed Competition, divided into beef & dairy cattle
1988	New breed – Brown Swiss
1989	New breed – Blonde D’Aquitaine 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