Method and system for preventing plugging of an agricultural particulate material

A system for distributing an agricultural particulate material as part of a crop production process, the system comprising:

• a distribution line configured to receive an air entrained flow of particles;
• a flow sensor configured to measure a flow parameter associated with the air entrained flow of particles through the distribution line;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled with the flow sensor, the controller including a processor and associated memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the controller to:
• monitor a flow parameter associated with the air entrained flow of particles through the distribution line to establish a baseline operating level for the flow parameter;
• determine that a change in the monitored flow parameter over time is associated with a plugging flow pattern that is indicative of potential plugging of the distribution line, the plugging flow pattern being represented by a reduction in the flow parameter below a first predetermined flow value defined relative to the baseline operating level across a first predetermined time interval followed by an increase in the flow parameter to within a predetermined threshold range defined relative to the baseline operating level;
• and
• when it is determined that the monitored flow parameter has experienced the plugging flow pattern, automatically initiate a corrective action associated with reducing a likelihood of the distribution line plugging.