Moisture question

I cut some grass hay down on Wednesday. Saturday the stems would break fairly easily. Sunday raked it into windrows. Ran a couple bales and moisture meter on bale chamber showed 18. Stopped bailing. Went and cut more hay down. About 4 or so started bailing again with moisture meter reading around 13 to 16 with occasional jump. Temperature in the 90's and humidity in the 50's.
Went putting the bales up today and the stems and leaves are pliable yet moisture meter reads right around 15.
Should stems that were broken easily still be broken easily?

Still learning the in and outs of haying.

Thanks,
Matt

Moisture question