Okay, just going to agree with some on here. This is all personal opinion from what I have seen or heard about these bulls.
Grandmaster- Adds muscle and power to most any cow. I have used him on very 2D animals as well as those that have muscle and power. He definately does not take away from what I can tell, and has even added. All the calves that I have seen and owned have impressed me. If you are looking for shear pounds, he isn't the largest growing bull out there, but from an EPD standpoint I can really admire his MM, CE and BW. I have a daughter in production that has a great udder for a first calf heifer. She has maintained her body condition with a calf on grass alone. Just about all my heifers got bred to Grandmaster this year. Check out his rear shot!
http://selectsiresbeef.com/index.php?option=com_php&Itemid=114&id=101&breed=Simmental
Upgrade- I have a heifer out of him that has impressed me from the day I bought her. She is in on my avatar and puts that picture to shame easy today. I admire her soundness on the move as well as muscle structure. If you are looking for pounds, he is one I would use. It was stated that he keeps structure sound, and I agree totally with that statement. The only fault I have for him is his MM EPD. He can add leather, but what pound bull doesn't?
Olie- Now deceased. Works good on heifers as an alternative to Grandmaster. He adds some muscle structure, but the one I had last year wasn't a bodybuilder. I was hoping he would give my flat, fatty cow some shape, but not much was achieved there. I have personally had more luck with width and muscle from Grandmaster. Olie works good in many scenarios, but in that particular one he didn't. This won't stop me from using him, but he won't be bred to that particular cow again. The calf was also crazy and had to be sold before she killed someone. She tried.
Climax- Is not a bad bull by any means, but he works BEST on Angus cows from what I have seen, but then again what Simmental doesn't?
Cut Above (Fat Butt)- Had a calf out of a heifer that is very impressive. At less than a month old, the calf is aready exhibiting muscle shape far superior to her herdmates. It's a heifer calf, and is outperforming some of the bulls in her group. It is still young to tell, but I have been impressed with this calf, as well as many I have seen especially since she came light and unassisted from a first calf heifer. Some of his progeny have been winning shows.
Hoosier- Haven't heard too much about him, just was impressed with his rear shot in the ABS catalog. He has been around a few years and I feel like I should have heard something about him, especially since added pounds is beginning to be a must in my area. Not saying he is a bad bull, just haven't hear a lot. If anyone has info, I would love to hear it.
Macho-Agree mainly with what has been said already. Adds power and udder structure, but watch the depth. And the CE if you are using on heifers.
Star Power- Many of the calves I have seen in my area have been taller rather than stout. I also was not pleased with some of the rear wheels. Popped pasterns = a popped tire to me. He seemed kinda hit and miss, but he was used on a few cows, and I have not seen as many offspring as I have from the others.
NLC Superior- Had a friend A.I. a few to him, and they weaned off HUGE. If you want pounds, I would use him similar to Upgrade. I don't anticipate them to be as showy or clean as Upgrades, but the few I have seen have been scalebusters. I have noticed that the bull calves perform better than the heifers.
Mo Better- From the limited few I have seen, he makes them soggy, stout and leathery. I would use him to add depth and I haven't seen any where he has taken away width.
My experience is limited, but some I would take a look at are Grandmaster, Upgrade, Sweet Meat (Added POUNDS and soggy look) and Cut Above. Lucky Man works good for performance, but I will have to see for myself when I A.I. a few to him this next year.
Good Luck with whichever way you choose!
