Fecha de publicación: 26/02/2016 Fuente: Wipo "precision farming" Disclosed is a method of precision farming application of a material using a variable rate application system suitable for use in aerial topdressing. The method includes the steps of: acquiring data over an area to be treated by aerial dispersion of the material; analysing the acquired data to determine a measure of land quality at each location within the area; converting the measure of land quality at each location into a prescription map file containing the amounts of the material to be dispersed at each location throughout the area to be treated; and dispersing the material from an aircraft-mounted system adapted for variable rate dispersal of the material from a hopper. The rate of dispersion is controlled by varying an opening in the hopper in accord with the prescription map file and the flying conditions at each location. A controller for a variable flow rate hopper is also disclosed.