Poor stubble handling of machinery is one of the major barriers to the retention of stubble on broadacre
cropping farms in central and southern New South Wales. This study has assessed strategies for improving
stubble flow through both scarifiers and combine drills currently owned by most farmers. An integrated
approach of reducing the length of straw, changing the profile of tines by wrapping the shank in polythene
tubing and where necessary increasing the rank spacing between tines improves stubble flow. These strategies
are low cost and will allow implements to operate in stubble densities between 3 and 5 t ha1 without major
blockages. In contrast, these implements will block immediately with straw when used in their traditional
configuration and no reduction in stubble length at these stubble densities.