Technical Abstract: Matching of grazing animals to the forage resource base could improve profit margins by reducing expenditures for supplemental feeds. Our objective was to determine if it is feasible to estimate forage quality parameters directly in the field (i.e., in situ) using hand-held remote sensing instruments, and with similar precision to that achieved using conventional bench-top near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis of clipped, dried, and finely ground forages. Remotely sensed data were collected over bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) canopies at various times during the growing seasons of 1999, 2000, and 2001. Vegetation samples were clipped and reference values of percent nitrogen, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber were determined by conventional wet chemistry methods. The ability to predict the reference values was then evaluated for both bench-top NIRS and hand-held radiometer techniques. Statistical analysis of the forage quality predictions indicated that the hand-held method compared well with the bench-top NIRS approach, indicating that it is feasible to estimate forage quality in situ. Measurements of forage quality from a hand-held radiometer approach could be coupled with estimates of forage quantity, thereby allowing near-real time mapping of the forage base enabling the rancher/animal manager to assess forage status to better match the grazing animal to the forage base and improve management of grazing lands.