A series of clinics in January sponsored by the LSU AgCenter for rice farmers will provide information on the latest practices and products.

Topics to be covered by LSU AgCenter experts will include disease, weed and insect control, fertilization, a rice market outlook and new varieties. A lunch will be served at each of the meetings.

“These meetings provide a wealth of information for farmers,” said Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station. “With the challenges of these difficult economic times, just one recommendation from our experts could save a farmer thousands of dollars.”

The first session will be Jan. 3 at the Welsh Community Center at 101 Palmer St., starting at 8 a.m. Soybean production also will be discussed by Ron Levy, LSU AgCenter soybean specialist. Ernest Girouard, director of the Louisiana Master Farmer Program, will give an update on the federal regulations for fuel storage.

The next session, on Jan. 4, will be at the Ville Platte Civic Center, 704 N. Soileau St., with registration at 7:30 a.m. and the first speaker at 8 a.m. Speakers will include Mike Salassi, LSU AgCenter economist.

On Jan. 5, farmers in the Crowley area will meet at the Acadia Parish extension office auditorium, 157 Cherokee St., Crowley. The clinic will start with registration at 7:30 a.m., followed by a meeting of the Acadia Parish Rice Growers Association. Presentations will begin at 8:30 a.m. Soybean production also will be covered at this meeting, and U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany of Lafayette is scheduled to be among the speakers.

The session for Vermilion Parish will be Jan. 6 at the American Legion Hall in Kaplan, located at 1504 American Legion Road. Among the speakers will be Eddie Gaspard of the Planter’s Rice Mill, who will talk about rice marketing.

Central Louisiana rice farmers will have a session on Jan. 11 in Bunkie at the Masonic Lodge located at 300 Floyd St. Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter economist, will provide a crop outlook for 2012.

On Jan. 26, north Louisiana farmers will meet at the Rayville Civic Center, 827 Louisa St., with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the first presentation at 9:30 a.m. In addition to AgCenter scientists, speakers will include Betsy Ward and Reece Langley of the USA Rice Federation.