EXHIBIT 12 LAND O'LAKES, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (dollars in thousands) Year Ended December 31, ----------------------- 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 --------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings: Earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations $ 132,281 $ 29,584 $107,619 $114,161 $ 56,652 (Less): Equity in earnings of affiliated companies (36,692) (58,412) (57,249) (24,166) (45,258) Add: Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries 1,354 1,648 6,366 5,487 6,882 Add: Distributed income of equity investees 35,250 47,846 37,356 26,407 3,048 Add: Fixed Charges (1) 107,669 105,529 103,761 96,815 73,831 Less: Capitalized interest - (68) (8) (143) (126) --------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings available to cover fixed charges $ 239,862 $ 126,127 $197,845 $218,561 $ 95,029 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.2 1.2 1.9 2.3 1.3 (1) Fixed charges consist of the following: Year Ended December 31, ----------------------- 2004 2003 2002 2001 --------------------------------------------------------------- Interest expense, gross $ 89,978 $ 88,356 $ 86,541 $ 82,011 $ 62,246 Rentals (interest factor) 17,691 17,173 17,220 14,804 11,585 --------------------------------------------------------------- Total fixed charges $ 107,669 $ 105,529 $103,761 $ 96,815 $ 73,831