EXHIBIT 12 MINN DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF NET PROCEEDS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN THOUSANDS) Year Ended August 31, ------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Earnings: Net proceeds before income taxes from continuing operations 109,663 84,224 94,620 86,604 63,352 Fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest, see below 3,326 3,742 4,920 5,199 5,264 Amortization of capitalized interest 94 94 94 94 94 ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ Net Proceeds 113,083 88,060 99,634 91,897 68,710 ======= ====== ====== ====== ====== Fixed Charges: Interest Expense 3,326 3,742 4,920 5,199 5,264 Interest factor included in rentals (1) 0 0 0 0 0 ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ Fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest 3,326 3,742 4,920 5,199 5,264 Interest capitalized 207 9 0 0 0 ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ Fixed Charges 3,533 3,751 4,920 5,199 5,264 ======= ====== ====== ====== ====== Ratio of net proceeds to fixed charges 32.01 23.48 20.25 17.68 13.05 ======= ====== ====== ====== ====== (1) The company does lease certain items, such as office equipment. Due to the proportionately small amounts involved, interest on such lease payments has not been included in the total of the company's fixed charges of the calculation of this ratio. 66