News Release Distributed 12/20/12

CROWLEY, La. – The LSU AgCenter will conduct six clinics for rice farmers to provide growers with valuable information for the 2013 crop.

Sessions will be held in Crowley, Welsh, Ville Platte, Bunkie, Kaplan and Rayville.

“We will have a variety of experts to give farmers advice for variety selection, insect and weed control, disease management and fertilizer,” said Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station. “The information is aimed at helping farmers make more money or reduce their costs.”

The first meeting will be Jan. 3 at the Acadia Parish Extension Office at 157 Cherokee Drive in Crowley. In addition to advice on growing rice, experts will provide information on growing soybeans and a rice economic outlook. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. with the event starting at 8 a.m.

Other sessions are scheduled for:

–Jan. 8 at the Welsh Community Center, 201 S. Elm St., in Welsh, starting at 8 a.m.

–Jan. 9 at the North Side Civic Center, 704 North Soileau St., in Ville Platte beginning at 8 a.m. Pesticide recertification will be offered for $25, and applicants must attend the entire meeting.

–Jan. 10 at the Masonic Lodge at 300 Floyd St., in Bunkie, beginning at 8:15 a.m. The event will include remarks from Betsy Ward, president of the USA Rice Federation, and Reece Langley, USA Rice government affairs vice president.

–Jan. 11 at the American Legion Hall, at 1504 American Legion Road, in Kaplan beginning at 8 a.m.

–Jan. 22 at the Civic Center in Rayville beginning at 9:30 a.m. Langley will also give an update on farm bill deliberations.