The LSU AgCenter will hold a series of meetings to help rice farmers prepare for the 2018 crop.

Don Groth, resident coordinator of the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, said farmers will be able to get advice for key decisions made early in the year, including variety selection and field preparation.

“Topics to be covered in the clinics will include controlling weeds, insects and diseases,” Groth said. “We also will talk about our research for variety development and agronomic practices in addition to an economic outlook for rice and a discussion of the upcoming farm bill.”

The sessions, which will include lunch, will be held:

— Jan. 4, at the Acadia Parish LSU AgCenter office, 157 Cherokee Road, Crowley. Registration at 7:45 a.m. and the program at 8:10.

— Jan. 9, Welsh Community Center, 101 Palmer St. Registration at 8 a.m. and the program at 8:15.

— Jan. 9, Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau office, 3139 Veterans Memorial Drive, Abbeville, at 12:30 p.m.

— Jan. 10, Ville Platte Civic Center, 704 N. Soileau St. Registration at 7:45 a.m. and the program at 8.

— Feb. 1, Avoyelles Parish LSU AgCenter Extension office, 8592 La. Highway 1, Mansura, at 8:15 a.m.

— Feb. 6, Rayville Civic Center, 827 Louisa St., at 9 a.m.