EXHIBIT 12 FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Year Ended August 31 November 30 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1996 1997 (Amounts in Thousands) Earnings: Pretax Income (Loss)............ $ (36,833) $ 78,766 $197,641 $155,754 $163,772 $ 29,415 $ 21,334 Minority Interest in Income of Consolidated Subsidiary that has Fixed Charges............... 865 333 9,793 7,604 10,586 38 263 Minority Interest in Loss of Consolidated Subsidiary .... (37) (4,855) -0- (221) (1,902) (1,102) (353) Equity Interest in Loss (Income) (Earnings less distributions) of Less- than-Fifty Percent Owned Investees............. 1,007 603 (623) 574 (868) (162) (321) Distributions from Less- than-Fifty Percent Owned Investees............. -0- -0- -0- -0- 5 -0- 20 Total Fixed Charges (excluding interest capitalized)................ 55,361 64,838 68,271 76,658 79,247 $ 20,462 $ 22,754 Total Earnings.................... $ 20,363 $139,685 $275,082 $240,369 $250,840 $ 48,651 $ 43,697 Fixed Charges: Interest (including amounts capitalized and amortization of debt issuance costs) and preferred dividends......... $ 43,970 $ 52,301 $55,501 $ 65,365 $ 68,103 $ 17,258 $ 18,545 Estimated Interest Component of Rentals.................. 13,006 12,898 13,494 12,926 15,127 3,968 5,242 Total Fixed Charges............... $ 56,976 $ 65,199 $68,995 $ 78,291 $ 83,230 $ 21,226 $ 23,787 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges................... 0.4 2.1 4.0 3.0 3.0 2.3 1.8 Earnings Inadequate to Cover Fixed Charges................... $ 36,613