Chicago, IL, October 5, 2005 - Agristar Global Networks, the agricultural industry's leading broadband communications company, is unveiling major speed increases throughout its line of ultra-high-speed Internet connectivity plans at farm shows across the country and through its regular industry marketing channels. The new service plans from Agristar are the fastest satellite connection speeds ever made available to rural Internet users.

Agristar's service plan offerings are based on Hughes Network Systems’ new HN7000 satellite modem, with download speeds that are up to 2Mbps (about 100 times faster than typical rural dial-up Internet connections), and upload speeds that are now up to 1 Mbps (50 times faster than rural dial-up). In addition, the new modems deliver nearly 300% more processing power than previous models which significantly improves page loading time.

“The HN7000 is a major step forward in our satellite Internet connectivity and ag information services strategy,” said Tim Ganschow, Vice President of Strategic Development for Agristar Global Networks. Agristar's primary focus is providing farm operators and agribusinesses with proprietary business and marketing information coupled with high-speed Internet connectivity. The Company's broadband service also is provided to a large secondary market of rural non-farm businesses and residences.

"This is Hughes’ sixth generation satellite modem, so not only is the HN7000 incredibly fast but it also provides a very stable, thoroughly tested platform," Ganschow said. “The new technology enables us to offer rural subscribers outstanding speeds at great values.”

Agristar's most popular plan, the Star100, now provides download speeds of up to 700 kbps, or 40% faster than was previously available. Star100 upload speeds are up to 128 kbps, or approximately 300% faster than before. But even though performance has increased significantly, Ganschow said, the Star100 is still available at the same $59.95 price.

One of the major enhancements of Agristar's new connection plans is with their upload capabilities. The HN7000 transmits data from a home or office at speeds several times faster than previous generation systems. “Our older models were excellent for surfing the Web and downloading massive amounts of information,” Ganschow said, “but they were not as powerful as we wanted them to be in terms of transmitting large files, such as sending a data-intensive email or uploading pictures. That’s not the case any more.”

In addition to the Star 100 plan upgrades, Agristar’s other connection plans also have undergone major speed increases. The higher end plans now have download speeds that range from 1.5 to 2 Mbps. Upload speeds range from 300 kbps to 1 Mbps. Additionally, Agristar has introduced a new high-end plan, the Star500, which is geared for very large farm operations and other rural business locations that need substantial data throughput power.

“With this new line-up, Agristar Global Networks is able to offer the fastest solution available anywhere to any size farm, ranch, agribusiness or home," Ganschow said. "When this is combined with our proprietary agricultural content and farm-oriented customer service, our users are getting a broadband Internet and agricultural information package unmatched in the industry.” Agristar's systems can be installed within 10 days anywhere in the continental U.S and are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Additional details about Agristar Global Networks and its broadband systems and agricultural information and business services are available at www.agristar.com or by calling 1-888-777-0440.

About Agristar Global Networks

Agristar Global Networks, Ltd. is a satellite-based communications company established to bridge the large connectivity gap between farm and ranch operators and their primary trade partners throughout the global food and fiber chain. The company partnered with Hughes Network Systems to develop “Agristar Powered by HughesNet ” to integrate farms and ranches, agribusinesses and food companies into a two-way, high-speed independent satellite network system. Broadband service also is provided to a large secondary rural market of non-farm residences and businesses. Agristar Global Networks has a 50-year history through its forerunner entities of developing market-defining communications and business advisory programs for the agricultural industry. These include the Top Farmers of America Association, the first organization to provide business services for leading farm operations in the 1960's; Farm Futures, the industry’s first risk management publication in the 1970’s; AgriData Resources, the first national computer network linking top farms in the 1980’s; and developmental work for a series of Internet-based agricultural services in the 1990’s. Agristar Global Networks is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with its national operations center located in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information on Agristar Global Networks, please visit www.agristar.com.

Media Relations Contact
Warren E. Clark
847-836-5100
warren.clark@ccimarketing.com

Agristar Executive Contact
Tim Ganschow
VP, Strategic Development
tim.ganschow@agristar.com