Most likely the difference in climate, Matt.  This alfalfa must be baled Thursday afternoon (48 hours after cutting), as Mike describes, or it is going to get rained on.

In a narrow windrow the whole time, in our climate the alfalfa on the bottom of the windrow may or may not be dry enough to bale Thursday at 2 pm.  Tedding accelerates the drying process. Tedders tend to come from wet climate areas of Europe.

People in dryer climates see things differently. Note the discussion of 8 cuttings in Hay Wilson's post article.

And I may try a Simmental on my Hereford cows in the future. One of the cows I bought early had some Simmi in her and she was a good cow.

Jim