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     The debentures will bear interest at the rate of 5.875% per year. Archer-Daniels-Midland will pay interest on the debentures on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning April 1, 2003. The debentures will mature on October 1, 2032 and will not be entitled to any sinking fund. We may redeem the debentures at our option at any time either in whole or in part, at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement. The debentures will be represented by one or more global debentures registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, which will act as depositary.

     The debentures are unsecured and rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness. The debentures will be issued only in registered form in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the debentures or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

     Plus accrued interest from October 1, 2002, if settlement occurs after that date.

     The underwriters have agreed severally to purchase the debentures on a firm commitment basis. The debentures will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company on or about October 1, 2002.

Joint Book-Running Managers

ABN AMRO Incorporated

      You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of the date hereof only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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Prospectus Supplement

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      Set forth below is the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years in the five-year period ended June 30, 2002.

      The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated as follows:

(earnings)

      For purposes of calculating the ratios, earnings consist of:

      For purposes of calculating the ratios, fixed charges consist of:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBENTURES

      The following discussion of the terms of the debentures supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities contained in the accompanying prospectus and identifies any general terms and provisions described in the accompanying prospectus that will not apply to the debentures.

General

      The debentures will be our general unsecured and senior obligations. We are initially offering the debentures in the principal amount of $500,000,000. We may, without the consent of the holders, issue additional debentures and thereby increase that principal amount in the future, on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP number as the debentures we offer by this prospectus supplement. We will issue the debentures under the indenture referred to in the accompanying prospectus. You should read the accompanying prospectus for a general discussion of the terms and provisions of the indenture.

      The debentures will mature on October 1, 2032 and will not be entitled to any sinking fund.

      The debentures will bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per annum from October 1, 2002 or from the most recent interest payment date on which we paid or provided for interest on the debentures. We will pay interest on the debentures on each April 1 and October 1, beginning April 1, 2003, to the person listed as the holder of the debenture (or any predecessor debenture) in the security register at the close of business on the preceding March 15 or September 15, as the case may be.

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      The debentures are subject to defeasance in the manner described under the heading “Description of Debt Securities — Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus.

Same-Day Settlement

      Settlement for the debentures will be made by the underwriters in immediately available funds. The debentures will trade in the depositary’s settlement system until maturity. As a result, the depositary will require secondary trading activity in the debentures to be settled in immediately available funds.

Optional Redemption

  Meaning of Terms

      We may redeem the debentures at our option as described below. See “— Our Redemption Rights.” The following terms are relevant to the determination of the redemption price.

      When we use the term “Treasury Rate” we mean with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue. In determining this rate, we assume a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for the redemption date.

      When we use the term “Comparable Treasury Issue,” we mean the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the debentures to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the debentures. “Independent Investment Banker” means each of Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. or their respective successors as may be appointed from time to time by the trustee after consultation with us; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “primary treasury dealer”), we shall substitute therefor another primary treasury dealer.

      When we use the term “Comparable Treasury Price,” we mean (A) the arithmetic average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the trustee obtains fewer than three Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all Quotations for the redemption date. “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the arithmetic average, as determined by the trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the trustee by the Reference Treasury Dealer by 5:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding the redemption date. When we use the term “Reference Treasury Dealer,” we mean each of Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and their respective successors and any other primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City selected by the trustee after consultation with us.

      When we use the term “Remaining Scheduled Payments,” we mean with respect to any debenture, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal and interest thereon that would be due after the related redemption date but for the redemption; provided, however, that, if the redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to the debenture, the amount of the next scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to the redemption date.

      In the event that the trustee is unwilling or unable to make the appointments or selections or perform the other duties described above under the heading “—Meaning of Terms”, we will make the appointments or selections or perform the duties.

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  Our Redemption Rights

      We may redeem the debentures at our option at any time, either in whole or in part. If we elect to redeem the debentures, we will pay a redemption price equal to the greater of the following amounts, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date:

In determining the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments, we will discount the payments to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points. A partial redemption of the debentures may be effected by any method as the trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for the debentures or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of debentures of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for the debentures.

      Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of the debentures to be redeemed.

      Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the debentures or portions thereof called for redemption.

Book Entry System

      We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC its book-entry system and procedures from sources that we believe are reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

      We will issue the debentures in the form of one or more fully registered global debentures which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (“DTC”), which will act as depositary. The debentures will be registered in the name of DTC or its nominee.

      Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debenture will be limited to DTC participants and to persons that may hold interests through institutions that have accounts with DTC (“participants”). Beneficial interests in a global debenture will be shown on, and transfers of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants for such global debenture. The conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to its participants and by its participants to owners of beneficial interests in the debentures will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect.

      DTC holds the securities of its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. The electronic book-entry system eliminates the need for physical certificates. DTC’s participants include:

Banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and others that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly, also have access to DTC’s book-entry system.

      Principal and interest payments on the debentures represented by a global debenture will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the

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      DTC has advised us that upon receipt of any payment of principal of or interest on a global debenture, DTC will immediately credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the accounts of participants with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global debenture as shown on DTC’s records. The underwriters will initially designate the accounts to be credited. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global debenture will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for customer accounts registered in “street name”, and will be the sole responsibility of those participants.

      If we redeem less than all of the global debentures, we have been advised that it is DTC’s practice to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each participant in the global debentures to be redeemed.

      A global debenture can only be transferred:

      Debentures represented by a global debenture can be exchanged for definitive debentures in registered form only if:

A global debenture that can be exchanged under the preceding sentence will be exchanged for definitive debentures that are issued in authorized denominations in registered form for the same aggregate amount. Such definitive debentures will be registered in the names of the owners of the beneficial interests in such global debentures as directed by DTC.

      Except as provided above, (1) owners of beneficial interests in such global debenture will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of debentures in definitive form and will not be considered the holders of the debentures for any purpose under the indenture and (2) no debentures represented by a global debenture will be exchangeable. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global debenture must rely on the procedures of DTC (and if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture or such global debenture. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global debenture.

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      We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request holders to take any action, or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global debenture desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under the indenture, then (1) DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to take such action and (2) such participants would authorize the beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

      DTC has provided the following information to us. DTC is:

Information Concerning the Trustee

      JPMorgan Chase Bank is the trustee under the Indenture. From time to time, we maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with the trustee in the ordinary course of business. JPMorgan Chase Bank also serves as trustee for certain of our other senior unsecured debt obligations.

UNDERWRITING

      Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering and representatives of the underwriters named below.

      Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the principal amount of debentures set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

      The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the debentures included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the debentures if they purchase any of the debentures.

      The underwriters propose to offer some of the debentures directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some of the debentures to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed 0.500% of the principal amount of the debentures. The underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow a concession not to exceed 0.250% of

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      The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the debentures).

      The debentures are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The underwriters have advised us that the underwriters intend to make a market in the debentures but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. Neither we nor the underwriters can assure you as to the liquidity of the trading market for the debentures.

      In connection with the offering, Salomon Smith Barney, on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell debentures in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of debentures in excess of the principal amount of debentures to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the debentures in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of debentures made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the debentures while the offering is in progress.

      The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when Salomon Smith Barney, in covering syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchases debentures originally sold by that syndicate member.

      Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the debentures. They may also cause the price of the debentures to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

      We estimate that our total expenses for this offering will be $645,000.

      The underwriters have performed investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. The underwriters and their affiliates may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business. JPMorgan Chase Bank, the trustee for the debentures, is an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., one of the underwriters.

      We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

LEGAL OPINIONS

      The validity of the debentures will be passed upon for us by Faegre & Benson LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for the underwriters by Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, Chicago, Illinois. Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw from time to time acts as our counsel in certain matters.

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$500,000,000

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company

     We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable supplement carefully before you invest.

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this Prospectus is November 7, 2001.

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      This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell debt securities or warrants to purchase debt securities in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $500,000,000. We may sell these securities either separately or in units.

      This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Such prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

      The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement can be read at the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, web site or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

      We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. The SEC also maintains an Internet website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange and Chicago Stock Exchange. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the New York Stock Exchange, you should call (212) 656-5060, and for further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the Chicago Stock Exchange, you should call (312) 663-2423.

      We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Some information contained in this prospectus updates the information incorporated by reference, and information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information set forth in this prospectus and information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2001 (which incorporates by reference certain portions of our 2001 Annual Report to Shareholders, including financial statements and notes thereto, and certain portions of our definitive Notice and Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 1, 2001), and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to the time that we sell all the securities offered by this prospectus.

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      You may request a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:

      You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or presented in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. Neither we, nor any underwriters or agents, have authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We may only use this prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. We are only offering these securities in states where the offer is permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the dates on the front of those documents.

      We are a major processor of agricultural products for the food and feed industries. We are one of the world’s largest oilseed and vegetable oil processors, corn refiners, cocoa processors, fuel alcohol producers and wheat millers.

      We were incorporated in Delaware in 1923 as the successor to a business formed in 1902. Our executive offices are located at 4666 Faries Parkway, Decatur, Illinois 62526. Our telephone number is (217) 424-5200.

      When we refer to “our company,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this prospectus under the headings “The Company,” “Use of Proceeds” and “Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges,” we mean Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, its subsidiaries and their predecessors unless the context indicates otherwise. When such terms are used elsewhere in this prospectus, we refer only to Archer-Daniels-Midland Company unless the context indicates otherwise.

      Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities will be added to our general funds and will be available for general corporate purposes, including:

      Until we use the net proceeds, we will invest them in short-term or long-term marketable securities or use them to repay short-term borrowings.

      Set forth below is the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years in the five-year period ended June 30, 2001.

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      The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated as follows:

(earnings)

      For purposes of calculating the ratios, earnings consist of:

      For purposes of calculating the ratios, fixed charges consist of:

      This section describes the general terms and provisions of our debt securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those debt securities.

      The debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of June 1, 1986 between us and The Chase Manhattan Bank, formerly known as Chemical Bank, as trustee. The indenture has been amended and supplemented by a supplemental indenture dated as of August 1, 1989 and amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990. We have summarized certain terms and provisions of the indenture in this section. We have also filed the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement. You should read the indenture for additional information before you buy any debt securities. The summary that follows includes references to section numbers of the indenture so that you can more easily locate these provisions.

General

      The debt securities will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations ranking on parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

      The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue and provides that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. (Section 301).

      A prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. (Section 301). These terms will include some or all of the following:

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      If the purchase price of any of the debt securities is denominated in a foreign or composite currency or currencies, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign or composite currency or currencies, then the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to such issue of debt securities and such foreign or composite currency or currencies will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

      When we use the term “holder” in this prospectus with respect to a registered debt security, we mean the person in whose name such debt security is registered in the security register. (Section 101).

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

      We may issue the debt securities as registered securities, bearer securities or both. We may issue debt securities in the form of one or more global securities, as described below under “Global Securities.” Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, registered securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only in denominations of $1,000 or multiples of $1,000. Bearer securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only in denominations of $5,000 with coupons attached. A global security will be issued in a denomination equal to the total principal amount of outstanding debt securities represented by that global security. The prospectus supplement relating to debt securities denominated in a foreign or composite currency will specify the denominations of the debt securities. (Sections 201, 203, 301 and 302).

See “Global Securities” and “Bearer Debt Securities” below.

      You may exchange any debt securities of a series for other debt securities of that series if the other debt securities are denominated in authorized denominations and have the same aggregate principal amount and the same terms as the debt securities that were surrendered for exchange. In addition, if debt securities of any series are issuable as both registered securities and as bearer securities, you may, subject to the terms of the indenture, exchange bearer securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default attached) of the series for registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and that have the same aggregate principal amount and the same terms as the debt securities that were surrendered for exchange.

      Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any bearer security surrendered in exchange for a registered security between a record date and the relevant date for payment of interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest attached. Interest will not be payable on the registered security on the relevant date for payment of interest issued in exchange for the bearer security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the indenture.

      Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, bearer securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities. (Section 305).

      The debt securities (other than a global security) may be presented for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a satisfactory written instrument of transfer, at the office or agency maintained by us for that purpose in a place of payment. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require you to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange of the debt securities. (Section 305). If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any office or agency, in addition to the security registrar, initially designated by us where you can surrender the debt securities for registration of transfer or exchange, we may at any time rescind the designation of any such office or agency or approve a change in the location. If debt securities of a series are issuable only as registered securities, we will be

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      If we redeem the debt securities in part, we shall not be required to:

Original Issue Discount Securities

      Debt securities may be issued under the indentures as original issue discount securities and sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. If a debt security is an original issue discount security, an amount less than the principal amount of the debt security will be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt security under the applicable indenture. (Section 101) The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and other special factors you should consider before purchasing any original issue discount securities.

Payments and Paying Agents

      Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal and any premium and interest on registered securities, other than a global security, will be made at the office of the paying agent or paying agents we may designate from time to time. At our option, payment of any interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the payee entitled to payment at the address listed in the security register, or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee as specified in the security register. (Sections 305, 307 and 1002). Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of any installment of interest on registered securities will be made to the person in whose name the registered security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest payment. (Section 307).

      Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal and any premium and interest on bearer securities will be payable, subject to applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of the paying agent or paying agents outside the United States that we may designate from time to time. At our option, payment of any interest may be made by check or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee outside the United States. (Sections 307 and 1002). Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on bearer securities on any

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      Neither we nor our paying agents will make payment on bearer securities or coupons, or upon any other demand for payment, if you present them to us or our paying agents within the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on bearer securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars will be made at the office of our paying agent in the United States if, and only if:

      Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the principal office of the trustee in New York City will be designated as our sole paying agent for payments on debt securities that are issuable only as registered securities. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any paying agent outside the United States, and any other paying agent in the United States, initially designated by us for the debt securities. We may, at any time:

      If debt securities of a series are issuable only as registered securities, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for that series. If debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, we will be required to maintain:

      Any money that we pay to a paying agent for the purpose of making payments on the debt securities and that remains unclaimed two years after the payments were due will be returned to us. After that time, any holder of a debt security or any coupon may only look to us for payments on the debt security or coupon. (Section 1003).

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Global Securities

      We may issue the debt securities of a series, in whole or in part, in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may issue global securities (i) in either registered or bearer form, and (ii) in either temporary or permanent form. (Sections 201, 203, 301, 304). Unless and until it is exchanged for debt securities in definitive form, a temporary global security in registered form may not be transferred except as a whole by:

      We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series, or part of a series, of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Bearer Debt Securities

      If we issue bearer securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe all of the special terms and provisions of debt securities in bearer form, and the extent to which those special terms and provisions are different from the terms and provisions which are described in this prospectus, which generally apply to debt securities in registered form, and will summarize provisions of the applicable indenture that relate specifically to bearer debt securities.

Tax Redemption

      All Debt Securities. To the extent specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities of a series will be subject to redemption at any time, as a whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debt securities together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption, upon publication of a notice as described below, if we determine that:

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      Certificates and Notice. If we elect to redeem affected securities of a series pursuant to the provisions of this “Tax Redemption,” we will deliver to the trustee a certificate, signed by an authorized officer, stating that we are entitled to redeem the affected securities of such series pursuant to their terms. (Section 1102).

      We will give notice of our intention to redeem affected securities, and all other notices in accordance with the provisions of this “Tax Redemption,” in accordance with “Notices” below. In the case of a redemption, we will give notice once not more than 60 days, but not less than 30 days, before the date fixed for redemption and will specify the date fixed for redemption. (Section 1104).

Payment of Additional Amounts

      If and to the extent specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, we will, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth below, pay to the holder of any debt security or coupon who is a United States Alien such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that every net payment on the debt security or coupon, after withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of that payment by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority), will not be less than the amount provided for in the debt security or coupon to be then due and payable.

      We will not, however, make any payment of additional amounts for or on account of:

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      In addition, we will not pay additional amounts with respect to any payment on a debt security or coupon to a holder who is (i) a fiduciary, (ii) a partnership, or (iii) other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment, to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the United States (or any political subdivisions or taxing authority) to be included in the income, for federal income tax purposes, of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to payment of the additional amounts had such beneficiary, settlor, member or beneficial owner been the holder of the debt security or coupon. (Section 1004).

      The term “United States Alien” means any person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual, a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust. (Section 101).

Covenants Contained in the Indenture

      The indenture contains certain restrictive covenants that apply to us and our Restricted Subsidiaries.

      A “Restricted Subsidiary” is any Subsidiary of ours, but does not include a Subsidiary (i) that does not transact any substantial portion of its business in the United States and does not regularly maintain any substantial portion of its fixed assets in the United States, or (ii) that is engaged primarily in financing our operations or the operations of our Subsidiaries outside the United States. (Section 101).

      A “Subsidiary” is a corporation in which we, or one or more of our other Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, own more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock. (Section 101).

      “Principal Domestic Manufacturing Property” means any building, structure or other facility, together with the land on which it is erected and fixtures that are part of such building, located in the United States that is used by us or our Subsidiaries primarily for manufacturing, processing or warehousing,

      “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of our assets, minus applicable reserves and other properly deductible items, minus

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all as set forth on our most recent consolidated balance sheet. (Section 101).

      “Funded Debt” means indebtedness for money borrowed having a maturity at, or being renewable or extendable by the borrower to a date, more than 12 months from the date of determination in the amount set forth on our most recent consolidated balance sheet. Funded Debt does not include (i) any amount in respect of obligations under leases, or guarantees thereof, whether or not such obligations or guarantees would be included as liabilities on a consolidated balance sheet, or (ii) any principal amount of indebtedness required to be redeemed within 12 months from the date of determination pursuant to any sinking fund provisions or otherwise. (Section 101).

Restrictions on Secured Debt

      The indenture provides that neither we nor our Restricted Subsidiaries may incur or otherwise create any new Secured Debt. The restriction on creating new Secured Debt, however, does not apply if the debt securities are secured equally and ratably with the new Secured Debt. (Section 1009).

      “Secured Debt” means Debt that is secured by a Mortgage on

      “Debt” means incurring, issuing, assuming or guaranteeing any notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidence of indebtedness. (Section 1009).

      “Mortgage” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or similar encumbrance. (Section 101).

      The restriction on incurring or otherwise creating any new Secured Debt does not apply to the following “Permitted Liens”:

      In addition, we or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur or otherwise create Secured Debt without equally and ratably securing the debt securities if, when such Secured Debt is incurred or created, the total amount of all outstanding Secured Debt, excluding Permitted Liens, plus Attributable Debt, as defined below, relating to sale and leaseback transactions does not exceed 5% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section 1009).

      The indenture does not restrict us or our Subsidiaries from incurring unsecured Debt.

Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

      The indenture provides that neither we nor any of our Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving any Principal Domestic Manufacturing Property which has been

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      (1) we or the Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Debt secured by a Mortgage, pursuant to the provisions discussed above under the heading “Restrictions on Secured Debt,” on the Principal Domestic Manufacturing Property to be leased back in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to the sale and leaseback transaction without equally and ratably securing the debt securities; or

      (2) within 120 days after the sale or transfer, we apply to the retirement of our Funded Debt an amount equal to the greater of

      The restriction on sale and leaseback transactions does not apply to a sale and leaseback transaction (i) between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries, or (ii) that involves the taking back of a lease for a period of less than three years. (Section 1010).

      The term “Attributable Debt” means the net amount of rent, discounted to the date of determination at a rate per annum of 15%, compounded semi-annually, required to be paid during the remaining term of any lease. (Section 101).

Restrictions on Mergers and Sales of Assets

      The indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between us and another entity. It also permits the sale or transfer by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets. These transactions are permitted if:

      If we consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or sell or lease all or substantially all of our assets according to the terms and conditions of the indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture. As a result, such successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture, in our name and, except in the case of a lease, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities and coupons. (Section 802).

      Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, we may transfer all of our property and assets to another corporation if, immediately after giving effect to the transfer, such corporation is our Wholly-Owned

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      The term “Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary in which we and our other Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries own all of the outstanding Funded Debt and capital stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares). (Section 101).

Modification and Waiver

      Under the indenture, certain of our rights and obligations and certain of the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the total principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series of debt securities affected by the modification or amendment. However, the following modifications and amendments will not be effective against any holder without its consent:

      Under the indenture, the holders of at least a majority of the total principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series of debt securities may, on behalf of all holders of such series of debt securities:

Events of Default

      “Event of Default,” when used in the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities, means any of the following:

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      If an Event of Default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series can, subject to conditions, rescind the declaration. (Sections 501, 502 and 513).

      The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities which are original issue discount securities will describe the particular provisions that relate to the acceleration of maturity of a portion of the principal amount of the series when an Event of Default occurs and continues.

      The indenture requires us to file an officers’ certificate with the trustee each year that states, to the knowledge of the certifying officer, no defaults exist under the terms of the indenture. (Section 1011). The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any sinking fund installment, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders. For purposes of this paragraph, “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series. (Section 602).

      Other than its duties in the case of a Event of Default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders of debt securities, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnification. (Sections 601, 603). If reasonable indemnification is provided, then, subject to other rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, with respect to the debt securities of that series, direct the time, method and place of:

      The holder of a debt security of any series will have the right to begin any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy only if:

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However, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute right to receive payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt security when due and to institute suit to enforce this payment. (Section 508).

Defeasance

      Defeasance and Discharge. At the time that we establish a series of debt securities under the indenture, we can provide that the debt securities of that series are subject to the defeasance and discharge provisions of the indenture. If we so provide, we will be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities of that series if:

      The term “U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States of America backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. (Section 101).

      In the event that we deposit money and/or U.S. Government Obligations in trust and discharge our obligations under a series of debt securities as described above, then:

      Defeasance of Certain Covenants and Certain Events of Default. At the time that we establish a series of debt securities under the indenture, we can provide that the debt securities of that series are subject to the covenant defeasance provisions of the indenture. If we so provide and we make the deposit and deliver the opinion of counsel described above in this section under the heading “Defeasance and Discharge”:

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      In the event of a defeasance, our obligations under the indenture and the debt securities, other than with respect to the covenants and the Events of Default specifically referred to above, will remain in effect. (Section 1013).

      If we exercise our option not to comply with the covenants listed above and the debt securities of the series become immediately due and payable because an Event of Default has occurred, other than as a result of an Event of Default specifically referred to above, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series on the date the payments are due under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities, but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due at the time of acceleration. However, we would remain liable for the balance of the payments. (Section 1013).

      Substitution of Collateral. At the time that we establish a series of debt securities under the indenture, we can provide for our ability to, at any time, withdraw any money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to the defeasance provisions described above if we simultaneously substitute other money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which would satisfy our payment obligations on the debt securities pursuant to the defeasance provisions applicable to those debt securities.

Notices

      Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will give notices to holders of bearer securities by publication in a daily newspaper in the English language of general circulation in New York City and London. As long as the bearer securities are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and such exchange requires publication of notice in a daily newspaper of general circulation in Luxembourg City, we will give notices to holders of bearer securities in such paper or, if not practical, elsewhere in Western Europe. We expect to publish notices in The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times and the Luxemburger Wort. We will give notices by mail to holders of registered securities at the addresses listed in the security register. (Sections 101 and 106).

Title

      Title to any temporary global debt security, any permanent global debt security, any bearer securities and any coupons issued with any bearer securities will pass by delivery. We and the trustee, and any of ours or the trustee’s agents, may treat the bearer of any bearer security, the bearer of any coupon and the registered owner of any registered security as the absolute owner of the security or coupon, whether or not the debt security or coupon shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308).

Replacement of Securities and Coupons

      We will replace any mutilated security, or a mutilated coupon issued with a security, at the holder’s expense upon surrender of the security to the trustee. We will replace securities or coupons that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the holder’s expense upon delivery to the trustee of the security and coupons or evidence of the destruction, loss or theft satisfactory to us and the trustee. If any coupon becomes destroyed, stolen or lost, we will replace it by issuing a new security in exchange for the security with which the coupon was issued. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen security or coupon, an indemnity satisfactory to the trustee and us may be required at the holder’s expense before we will issue a replacement security. (Section 306).

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Governing Law

      The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Information Concerning the Trustee

      The Chase Manhattan Bank, formerly known as Chemical Bank, is the trustee under the Indenture. From time to time, we maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with the trustee in the ordinary course of business. The Chase Manhattan Bank also serves as trustee for certain of our other senior unsecured debt obligations.

      We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities issued under the indenture. We may issue warrants alone or together with any debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and warrants may be attached to or separate from the debt securities. As stated in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of warrants, we will issue the warrants under one or more warrant agreements that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrant certificates. The warrant agent will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holder of warrant certificates or beneficial owners of warrants. We have summarized certain terms and provisions of the form of warrant agreement in this section. We have also filed the form of warrant agreement as an exhibit to the registration statement. You should read the warrant agreement for additional information before you buy any warrants.

General

      If we offer warrants, the applicable prospectus supplement will identify the warrant agent and describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:

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      You may, at the corporate trust offices of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement:

      Before exercising warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise, including the right to receive payments on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the indenture.

Exercise of Warrants

      Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. You may exercise warrants at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date (or such later date to which we may extend the expiration date), unexercised warrants will become void.

      You may exercise warrants by delivering payment to the warrant agent as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement of the amount required to purchase the debt securities, together with certain information set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate. Warrants will be deemed to have been exercised upon receipt of the exercise price, subject to the receipt within five business days of the warrant certificate evidencing such warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the debt securities purchased. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants.

General

      We may sell securities offered under this prospectus to or through underwriters, agents or broker-dealers or directly to purchasers. As set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may offer debt securities alone or with warrants (which may or may not be detachable from debt securities), and we may offer the warrants alone. If we issue any warrants, debt securities will be issuable upon exercise of the warrants. We also may offer the securities in exchange for our outstanding indebtedness.

      Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents will be identified and their compensation, including underwriting discounts and commissions, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also describe other terms of the offering, including the initial public offering price, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers, and any securities exchanges on which the offered securities may be listed.

      The distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus may occur from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

      We may determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement how any auction will be conducted to determine the price or any other terms of the securities, how potential investors may

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      If the securities offered under this prospectus are issued in exchange for our outstanding securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the exchange, the identity of and the terms of sale of the securities offered under this prospectus by the selling security holders.

      If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, we will authorize dealers or our agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase offered securities from us under contracts that provide for payment and delivery on a future date. We must approve all institutions, but they may include, among others:

      The institutional purchaser’s obligations under the contract are only subject to the condition that the purchase of the offered securities at the time of delivery is allowed by the laws that govern the purchaser. The dealers and our agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of the contracts.

      We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make as a result of those certain civil liabilities.

      When we issue the securities offered by this prospectus, they may be new securities without an established trading market. If we sell a security offered by this prospectus to an underwriter for public offering and sale, the underwriter may make a market for that security, but the underwriter will not be obligated to do so and could discontinue any market making without notice at any time. Therefore, we cannot give any assurances to you concerning the liquidity of any security offered by this prospectus.

      Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any debt securities that are issuable as bearer securities will agree that it will not offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, bearer securities in the United States or to United States persons (other than a Qualifying Foreign Branch of a United States Financial Institution) in connection with the original issuance of any debt securities.

      Underwriters and agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

      Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated financial statements and schedule incorporated in or included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2001, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedule are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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$500,000,000

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company

5.875% Debentures due 2032

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

September 26, 2002

Joint Book-Running Managers

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