Southern Quality Produce is closing its wheat and barley pools in stages, with the stable option in its harvest pool to close today.

SQP managing director Ben Fleay said rolling closures over the next few weeks were consistent with its marketing strategy and would also give growers maximum opportunity to deliver.

"Our harvest pool offers the flexibility of personalised pricing strategies based around different hedging levels and our rolling closures follow the options progressively," Mr Fleay said

"Our stable option involves a heavy hedging strategy that we manage closely, which is being supported by our aggressive early shipping program, so it is appropriate to close this option off now.

"Our balanced option we plan to hold open until Friday 17 February, as it follows what might be classed as a more traditional spread of hedging over the life of the pool."

"At this stage of the year growers holding unsold grain have many issues to consider as sales options close off and markets continue to move, which is why we seek to work with individual growers to help them resolve the most suitable options to meet their preferred strategy, cash flow options and appetite for risk.

"That means individual conversations, so we welcome calls to any of our merchants.

"The Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday indicated that wheat exports achieved in December had ramped up to 2.06 million tonnes, which was right on expectations. We actually expect that number to be even higher in January and February, as the first half of 2012 will be the peak shipping period for Australian grain ahead of the next northern hemisphere crop.

"Shipping opportunities, port schedules and transport to ports will be the driving factors that will limit spot market opportunities for growers as the year proceeds, which is why we have our own export pathways well established and running.

"We are focused on maximising the use of these pathways to benefit growers in our pools, although as can be seen by our pool closure dates the clock is ticking, so I'd encourage any grower looking to use our pathways to market to call us promptly," Mr Fleay said.