Diogo et al., 1995. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 24 (6): 884-895

The objective of the research was to characterize differences in botanical composition and some qualitative parameters between the forage available and the diet selected by cattle on a natural pasture. The pasture botanical composition was estimated by the dry weight present and the availability of dry matter by the comparative yield method (BOTANAL). Samples of the diet were collected using 4 esophageal-fistulated cattle and the botanical composition was evaluated by the microscopic point method. Molassesgrass constituted the major portion of the diet, demonstrating high acceptability, independent of availability or physiological stage. Jaraguagrass exhibited seasonal production, both in the pasture and in the diet, with higher selectivity in the fall. Batataisgrass, the legumes, and the weeds and shrubs were selected in the spring months with 6.5, 4.8, and 5.2% averages, respectively, in the diet. In the fall months, there was an absence of selection for the first two grasses and the batataisgrass and le-gumes represented 2.9 and 2.8% of the diet and weeds and shrubs rejection composed only 1.5% of the diet. The proportion of sedges and grasses in the diet were always less than in the pasture.