EXHIBIT 12 DEERE & COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Three Months Year Ended Ended January 31, October 31, 2000 1999 1999 (In thousands of dollars) Earnings: Income of consolidated group before income taxes and changes in accounting $ 59,761 $ 76,315 $365,135 Dividends received from less- than-fifty percent owned affiliates 394 5,734 Fixed charges excluding capitalized interest 150,617 137,187 571,949 Total earnings $210,378 $213,896 $942,818 Fixed charges: Interest expense of con- solidated group including capitalized interest $146,780 $134,497 $557,740 Portion of rental charges deemed to be interest 3,837 3,113 15,347 Total fixed charges $150,617 $137,610 $573,087 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges* 1.40 1.55 1.65 The computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges is based on applicable amounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries plus dividends received from less-than-fifty percent owned affiliates. "Earnings" consist of income before income taxes, the cumulative effect of changes in accounting and fixed charges excluding capitalized interest. "Fixed charges" consist of interest on indebtedness, amortization of debt discount and expense, an estimated amount of rental expense which is deemed to be representative of the interest factor, and capitalized interest. * The Company has not issued preferred stock. Therefore, the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are the same as the ratios presented above. DEERE & COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Year Ended October 31, 1998 1997 (In thousands of dollars) Earnings: Income of consolidated group before income taxes and changes in accounting $1,560,032 $1,507,070 Dividends received from less- than-fifty percent owned affiliates 5,555 3,591 Fixed charges excluding capitalized interest 531,817 433,673 Total earnings $2,097,404 $1,944,334 Fixed charges: Interest expense of con- solidated group including capitalized interest $ 521,418 $ 422,588 Portion of rental charges deemed to be interest 12,451 11,497 Total fixed charges $ 533,869 $ 434,085 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges* 3.93 4.48 DEERE & COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Year Ended October 31, 1996 1995 (In thousands of dollars) Earnings: Income of consolidated group before income taxes and changes in accounting $1,286,634 $1,092,751 Dividends received from less- than-fifty percent owned affiliates 7,937 2,023 Fixed charges excluding capitalized interest 410,764 399,056 Total earnings $1,705,335 $1,493,830 Fixed charges: Interest expense of con- solidated group including capitalized interest $ 402,168 $ 392,408 Portion of rental charges deemed to be interest 8,596 6,661 Total fixed charges $ 410,764 $ 399,069 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges* 4.15 3.74