Many east coast broadacre farmers will have the enviable dilemma of deciding how to best sow 2021 winter crops into paddocks with high stubble loads after this year's bumper grain harvest.

The stubble challenge arises from a need to raise header fronts to optimise grain harvest from high-yielding crops, which tend to leave big volumes of straw that can be unevenly chopped and spread across paddocks.

Seeding systems then need to be able to cut through this residue on the ground at crop planting without being slowed-down by blockages. This is vital to minimise downtime and get the desired seed placement for good plant establishment.

Common problems when sowing winter crops into high stubble residues include straw not breaking-down in dry seasons, hair-pinning when using some disc drills, blockages with tyned machines in wet or adverse conditions and potential in-crop weed control issues due to interception of residual herbicides.

These factors can lead to reduced overall crop performance and lower grain yields.

To give next season's crops every chance of success, choice of sowing system and equipment type becomes critical.

Leading Cowra-based agricultural equipment dealer and distributor Beulah Machinery recommends growers consider its range of Pillar Laser Disc Drill seeders.

With a background as a farm-based enterprise, focused on optimising cropping efficiency, the company is well placed to offer machinery advice.

Research and farmer experience have long highlighted the benefits of disc - or 'minimum tillage' - seeding in general, and latest technologies incorporated in the Pillar Disc Laser Drill can further ensure these benefits are achieved.

The Pillar DH machine, distributed by Beulah Machinery, can get through high and uneven stubble loads on the ground at speed to ensure seeding efficiency.

But, at the same time, it minimises soil disturbance to ensure there are still good levels of ground cover to promote soil health improvements and reduce erosion risks.

Pillar has incorporated a self-sharpening 18 inch disc in its laser drill to carve the initial seed trench.

Its patented seed boot opener eliminates hairpinning and creates a firm seed bed - even under extreme crop residue - without smearing. It is designed to manage residue, but retain soil moisture.

The Pillar DH can help manage potential issues of heavy stubble reducing the effectiveness of pre-emergent herbicides.

Because it operates at a speed of 10 kilometres per hour, the machine generates enough soil throw to incorporate pre-emergent herbicides - and the disc cleaning wheel adjusts soil disturbance levels.

Openers come in 10 and 12 inch spacings as standard on the Pillar DH frames, with metric and three metre tramlines available on request. Minimum spacing is restricted to 10 inch, as the opener generates too much soil throw and infill at narrower margins.

The Pillar opener performs more like a tyne than a no-disturbance single disc, in that it can get through any trash.

It can be used on a range of soil types, including sticky ground and rocky areas.

Pillar DH disc seeders achieve dual placement from a single opener to ensure seed and fertiliser are placed in the optimum locations.

Vertical and horizontal separation of 1.5 inches (or 38 millimetres) means high rates of fertiliser can be used without risking seed burn or precise seed placement.

Different presswheels are used to get optimum performance from the Pillar DH in different soil types.

The DS, or dual rib, is an all-rounder that closes the trench without over-packing the seed. Smooth options work well in sandy soils, and the RS is ideal for difficult soils that resist closing.

Patented Pillar seed boots allow liquids and seed treatments to be placed with both seed and fertiliser.

Depth is easily set on the rear presswheel in quarter inch (6mm) increments, and the entire bar can be easily adjusted in minutes.

Active wing hydraulics and a floating hitch keep the Pillar DH seeder following the ground, while independent openers maintain optimum seed sowing depth.

For easy machine maintenance and less downtime, there are two grease points per opener and quick-change disc hubs.

Next generation GEN III openers can have auto-greasers and frame pivot points are easily serviced with grease banks.

Beulah Machinery can demonstrate the Pillar DH - as a small-plot seeder with three press-wheel options - on request in a range of locations. This allows farmers to see its performance in their paddock conditions.

The Pillar DH drill is not zero-disturbance, as its patented opener creates similar soil movement to a tyne machine and allows for incorporating pre-emergent chemicals in the crop management plan.

The soil throw can be adjusted with the height of the cleaning wheel, but the minimum spacing without infill is 10 inch.

As a rule-of-thumb, the Pillar DH opener operating at 10km/h requires similar tractor horsepower as an independent tyne machine working at 7km/h.

The machine's recommended operating speed is 10.5km/h, but it can be pulled faster with good seed placement.

The issue is reduced bearing life and - in some conditions - disc deflection can cause wear on the seed boot.

Aside from the Pillar DH, Beulah Machinery also stocks a wide range of augers, rock pickers, air seeders and associated spare parts.