Abstract: A method of conditioning hay, the hay being made from plants used for animal fodder of the type having nodes in their stems, the nodes being significantly less compressible than the stems, the method comprising: compressing the hay between a pair of rollers with a predetermined compression force sufficient to substantially flatten any nodes on the hay and thereby accelerate drying of the hay.

Abstract: A hay conditioning apparatus includes a first roller which is rotatably mounted in a fixed mounting and a second counter-rotating (compression) roller which is rotatably mounted in connection with a moveable mounting. The compression roller is in rolling contact with the first roller and is adapted to receive pre-cut hay therebetween for conditioning. The moveable mounting allows the compression roller to be displaced relative to the first roller as the hay passes between the rollers and also includes a hydraulic cylinder for applying a compression force to the compression roller. As the pre-cut hay passes between the rollers, it is subjected to a predetermined compression force sufficient to substantially flatten any green nodes on the hay and thereby accelerate drying of the hay.