EFFECT OF INOCULAMS ON HIGH MOISTURE CORN FERMENTATION CHARACTERISTICS AND CAl lLE PERFORMANCE

High moisture corn was ensiled untreated (treatment 1) or treated with one of three different inoculants (treatment 2 = lactobacillus; treatment 3 = lactobacillus + streptococcus; treatment4 = lactobacillus + serratia), each at two moisture levels (27.2% and 22.4%). lnoculant effects on fermentation were moisture dependent. The pH, acetate concentrations and dry matter losses were generally lower and lactate concentrations higher due to inoculation at 27.2% moisture. Overall, treatment 3 was somewhat more effective than treatments 2 or 4. Inoculation effects were generally less at 22.4% moisture. lnoculant effects on soluble N were small and probably of little nutritional importance. Aerobic stability was decreased by inoculation and lower moisture. Inoculation did not positively affect daily gain, feed:gain, feed intake or carcass characteristics.