[KSHAYGUY]

If you have a swather/mower that already has conditioner rollers (in good shape with proper pressure) then I would suggest the following

1. Cut and condition in a single pass

2. If the hay is heavy or dry time is limited, use a tedder to spread the windrow back out. You would want to do this within the first 24-hrs of cutting alfalfa to conserve leaves. Grass hay is not as critical on the timing.

3. Let the hay dry/cure. Then rake back into windrows, let it get to the proper moisture content and then bale.

If your swather/mower doesn't have conditioners, you can run a condition behind the swather. It needs to be in good shape and have everything set right. A double crimp style works even better and will improve dry time by a day in normal conditions.

If you have a disc mower or bar with no conditioner and the hay lays flat (no windrow), you really don't need a tedder.

just my thoughts....