Technical Abstract: NMR and other spectroscopic/spectrometric techniques, that have been used to assess forage quality, are compared and discussed with relevant examples. Solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy are given special emphasis. The other techniques discussed include infrared, Raman, near- infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopies plus pyrolysis mass spectrometry. The point is made that many of these techniques are suitable for microspectroscopic or imaging applications and that more advantage should be taken of the increased information value that this has for forage assessment.