EXHIBIT 12 FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Year Ended August 31 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 (Amounts in Thousands) Earnings: Pretax Income......................... $ 78,766 $ 197,641 $ 155,754 $ 163,672 $ 55,025 Minority Interest in Income of Consolidated Subsidiary that has Fixed Charges................. 333 9,793 7,604 10,586 8,346 Minority Interest in Loss of Consolidated Subsidiary .......... (4,855) -0- (221) (1,902) (1,341) Equity Interest in Loss (Income) (Earnings less distributions) of Investees (A)..................... 603 (623) 574 (868) (56,531) Distributions from Investees (A)..................... -0- -0- -0- 5 57,620 Total Fixed Charges (excluding interest capitalized)............. 64,838 68,271 76,658 79,247 94,960 Total Earnings............................. $ 139,685 $ 275,082 $ 240,369 $ 250,740 $ 158,079 Fixed Charges: Interest (including amounts capitalized and amortization of debt issuance costs).............. $ 52,297 $ 55,497 $ 65,361 $ 68,099 $ 79,421 Estimated Interest Component of Rentals........................ 12,898 13,494 12,926 15,127 19,483 Total Fixed Charges........................ $ 65,195 $ 68,991 $ 78,287 $ 83,226 98,904 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......... 2.1 4.0 3.0 3.0 1.6 (A) For 1994 through 1997, equity interest and distributions shown represent less-than-50%-owned Investees. For 1998, equity interest and distributions shown represent 50%-owned and less-than-50%-owned Investees.