A method and pneumatic spreading machine control/regulate a metering element. A transfer chamber downstream of the metering element transfers metered material to a conveying line for spreading. A blower charges the conveying line with an air stream. Spreading elements are downstream of the conveying line. Calibration includes actuating metering elements, charged with a particular type and of material, over a predetermined test duration with a predetermined operating parameter. A mass of material metered during calibration is gravimetrically detected downstream of the metering element and upstream of the transfer chamber or in the transfer chamber, following which the material is transferred to the conveying line and dispensed. A functional relationship between the operating parameter of the dosing element and the actual mass flow of material for spreading, metered by means of the metering element, is calculated. The metering element is controlled/regulated to a setpoint depending on the functional relationship.
