Stubble bender (134, 134') for a maize picker, with: a bracket (154, 154') which is configured to be fastened to the underside of a frame of a maize picker, the frame supporting a row unit; a first spring (138, 138') which comprises an upper end which is coupled to the bracket (154, 154'), wherein the first spring (138, 138') also comprises a lower end (166, 166') which extends downwards from the bracket (154, 154'); a second spring (140, 140') which comprises an upper end which is coupled to the bracket (154, 154'), wherein the second spring (140, 140') also comprises a lower end (168, 168') which extends downwards from the bracket (154, 154'); and a paddle (136, 136') which is substantially flat and is supported at the lower end (166, 166') of the first spring (138, 138') and at the lower end (168, 168') of the second spring (140, 140'), wherein the paddle (136, 136') has a first edge and an opposite second edge, and wherein the lower end (166, 166') of the first spring (138, 138') is coupled along the first edge to the paddle (136, 136'), and the lower end of the second spring (140, 140') is coupled along the second edge to the paddle (136, 136'), characterized in that the paddle (136, 136') is supported in a sliding manner on the lower end (166, 166') of the first spring (138, 138') and on the lower end (168, 168') of the second spring (140, 140'), and in that a first prestressing spring is coupled between the paddle and the first spring in order to prestress the paddle downwards in relation to the first spring, and in that a second prestressing spring is coupled between the paddle and the second spring in order to prestress the paddle downwards in relation to the second spring, or in that the lower end of the first spring is coupled pivotably to the first edge in order to pivot the paddle about a pivot axis, which extends horizontally and transversely with respect to the forwards direction, in relation to the lower end of the first spring, and in that the lower end of the second spring is coupled pivotably to the second edge in order to pivot the paddle about the pivot axis in relation to the lower end of the second spring. a bracket (154, 154') which is configured to be fastened to the underside of a frame of a maize picker, the frame supporting a row unit; a first spring (138, 138') which comprises an upper end which is coupled to the bracket (154, 154'), wherein the first spring (138, 138') also comprises a lower end (166, 166') which extends downwards from the bracket (154, 154'); a second spring (140, 140') which comprises an upper end which is coupled to the bracket (154, 154'), wherein the second spring (140, 140') also comprises a lower end (168, 168') which extends downwards from the bracket (154, 154'); and a paddle (136, 136') which is substantially flat and is supported at the lower end (166, 166') of the first spring (138, 138') and at the lower end (168, 168') of the second spring (140, 140'), wherein the paddle (136, 136') has a first edge and an opposite second edge, and wherein the lower end (166, 166') of the first spring (138, 138') is coupled along the first edge to the paddle (136, 136'), and the lower end of the second spring (140, 140') is coupled along the second edge to the paddle (136, 136'), characterized in that the paddle (136, 136') is supported in a sliding manner on the lower end (166, 166') of the first spring (138, 138') and on the lower end (168, 168') of the second spring (140, 140'), and in that a first prestressing spring is coupled between the paddle and the first spring in order to prestress the paddle downwards in relation to the first spring, and in that a second prestressing spring is coupled between the paddle and the second spring in order to prestress the paddle downwards in relation to the second spring, or in that the lower end of the first spring is coupled pivotably to the first edge in order to pivot the paddle about a pivot axis, which extends horizontally and transversely with respect to the forwards direction, in relation to the lower end of the first spring, and in that the lower end of the second spring is coupled pivotably to the second edge in order to pivot the paddle about the pivot axis in relation to the lower end of the second spring.