A product dispensing apparatus is described having a product meter (76, 78) and an distribution system (34). A sensor (108) is provided along a product passage (42, 44) between the meter (76, 78) and the distribution system (34). The sensor (108) has at least one of receivers (116), each receiver (116) only covering a small portion of the product passage (42, 44) whereby the resolution of the sensor (108) is increased to be able to detect relatively small particles. For certain small particles or low rate application, the sensor (108) counts individual particles to determine the application rate. For larger particles or high application rates, the sensor (108) measures an output signal attenuation to determine the application rate. A controller (80) then varies a meter drive (72, 74) to produce the desired application rate.
