Mediaboss Marketing

Two new working groups for sheep farmers looking to improve flock health are to be established in Scotland.

That was the good news story from the National Sheep Association (NSA) Scotland Annual Region Members Meeting (ARMM) at Stirling Agricultural Centre, where chairman Jen Craig told members the Scottish Government is committed to progressing upon animal health and welfare priorities within the sector.

While England, Wales and Northern Ireland has already received finance and initiatives to look into better control methods of sheep scab, the Scottish Government has finally engaged conversations to explore options within Scotland.

Although notifiable in Scotland, sheep scab remains a huge welfare concern and while blood tests and control methods are available to test and eliminate the mites, the disease remains a real challenge in certain areas. As a result, a working group to address the problems has already been established and is currently chaired by NSA Scotland.

NSA Scotland is also actively looking for sheep farmers to join their Jaagsiekte or ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) task force in a bid to find out more about this fatal lung disease in association with the Moredun at Edinburgh, when there is no accurate test or cure for it as reported in The SF three weeks previous.

The organisation also launched its annual survey on sheep worrying incidents by dogs, to further raise awareness and find ways of improving education, guidance and co-operation with dog owners.

Restrictions caused by the Covid pandemic, have however had a negative impact on the finances of the Scottish branch in line with all other NSA regions with the cancellation of two NSA ScotSheep events incurring additional expenditure without any income. Figures released at the ARMM show a balance sheet in the red at -34,087.53 for the end of 2021, which compares to 2019 (pre-Covid) of +7257.75 and 2018 the last time ScotSheep was staged at +11,132.13.

While membership remains unchanged since pre-covid, loss of earnings are nevertheless expected to be restored following this year's NSA ScotSheep at Over Finlarg, Tealing on Wednesday, June 1. Admission is also set to increase to 20 per head with NSA members gaining access at half price.

Election of office bearers saw Jen Craig continue as Chair for another year alongside Maimie Paterson as Vice and Mary Dunlop as Treasurer. Grace Reid continues as NSA Scottish Region Coordinator and Euan Emslie as regional Events Organiser and Secretariat.

For more information on the issue of sheep worrying by dogs and NSAs work on this issue visit http://www.sheepworrying.org.uk

Read the rest here:
ScotSheep admission rises as NSA looks to improved health - The Scottish Farmer

The Defense Department's industrial base is huge, encompassing some 220,000 companies. With criminals and nefarious state actors intent on stealing intellectual property or taking down networks, cybersecurity is a huge concern for the department, the companies and national security.

As a result, the department is bolstering defense industrial base cybersecurity by sharing threat information, offering easy-to-implement ways the industrial base can shore up its own cyber defenses, and looking for ways to make further improvements as the threat continues to evolve, according to a DOD panel that spoke during a recent town hall.

"I think we've thwarted a good number of attacks by our intelligence sharing and your sharing of information about things going on in your network," said David McKeown, DOD's chief information security officer and deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity.

In addition to intelligence sharing, the department requires industrial base companies to achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, which sets the minimum cybersecurity requirements for companies, he said, noting that the department has been working to streamline those requirements to make it easier for companies to comply.

He also said the department wants companies to review the National Institute of Standards and Technology's publication "Guide to Securing WiMAX Wireless Communications."

A third requirement, he said, is that if there's a major cybersecurity breech, it must be reported within 72 hours to the DOD Cyber Crime Center. The centers hotline is 410-981-0104 or 877-838-2174, and the website is https://dibnet.dod.mil.

"We would love to see you go beyond those requirements," McKeown said.

An excellent place to start is by visiting https://dibnet.dod.mil, which is DOD's gateway for defense contractor reporting and voluntary participation in DOD's Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Program, he said.

On that site, companies can report a cyber incident, as well as become a DOD voluntary public-private cybersecurity partner, he said. The site also has points of contact for anyone having questions or needing additional information.

The defense industrial base is one of 16 critical infrastructure sectors, identified in the presidential policy directive "Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience", said Kristi Hunt in the office of the undersecretary of defense for policy.

That document spells out the policy for how the federal government will work to build trust with those sectors, how those sectors will work with other sectors, and how the whole effort for public-private partnership will advance national unity of effort to strengthen and maintain secure functioning and resilient critical infrastructure, she said.

Hunt said her agency works closely with the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, sharing mitigation strategies, threat indicators, critical incidents and best practices.

Kristina Walter, chief of defense industrial base cyber defense at the National Security Agency, said, "NSA has great insight into foreign actors targeting DOD Information on DOD networks, national security system as well as defense industrial base networks."

However, the NSA must rely on industry partners to mitigate cybersecurity threats, she said.

"You are experts in your networks. We understand what foreign actors are doing, and when we work together, we can understand more rapidly what's happening and address the issue," she said.

The NSA, in partnership with the FBI, has set up a collaboration channel to get out as much information before an incident occurs, she said. More information can be found at https://www.nsa.gov/About/Cybersecurity-Collaboration-Center/.

Krystal Covey, director of DOD's Defense Industrial Base Collaborative Information Sharing Environment, said the Defense Cybercrime Center hosts cybersecurity conferences and performs malware analysis, publishes cyber threat analyses, and shares actionable cybersecurity incidents.

Covey said that although only cleared defense contractors are covered by Code of Federal Regulations, Title 32, Part 236, there is work within the department to incorporate other companies into this program.

DOD Focused on Protecting the Defense Industrial Base From Cyber Threats

Link to Town Hall video on DVIDS

Link to DOD CIO slides on DOD CIO library

Follow this link:
DOD Working to Improve Cybersecurity for Its Industrial Base - Department of Defense

Professor Peter Twumasi Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has said, sports have the potential to create job opportunities for the youth and aged if given the needed attention.

According to Prof. Twumasi, sports was a big industry, that provides opportunities in the areas of coaching, medicine, psychology and other areas, hence the need for more investments in the sector.

He said the government would continue to embark on regular talent identification especially at the grassroots to unearth more talents for the nation in sports.

Prof. Twumasi made these remarks at the 4th edition of the National Cross Country 2022, held at the Akim Oda Sports Stadium in the Brim Central Municipality on the subject "Running Towards the 13th Africa Games.

He, however, noted that athletics and football should not be the only disciplines with regular contests, but volleyball, boxing and others must also be given the needed priority.

Prof. Twumasi praised the President for his contributions to the country's sporting infrastructure, following the construction of multi-purpose stadiums in various parts of the country.

Mr Kwame Seth Acheampong, District Chief Executive for Akyem Achiase on behalf of the Eastern Regional Minister, expressed his appreciation to the NSA for giving them the opportunity to host the 4th National Cross-Country Event.

He was pleased that the competition drew a large number of athletes and spectators, adding that, it was a sign that, sports was a tool for ensuring national unity.

The 10-kilometre race drew over 190 male and female participants from the country's 16 administrative regions.

Amponsah William of the Central Region took first place in the men's category with a time of 28:16.71, followed by Koogo Atia of the North East Region, with 29:25.61, and Aziz Mohammed of the Central Region picking the third place with a time of 29:25.61.

Lariba Juliana of Upper East took first place in the women's category with a time of 35:07.90, followed by Sherifa Moro of Ashanti Region in second place with a time of 35:41.51 and Titi Rosina of Upper West in third place with a time of 35:52.35.

The Central Region was the overall regional best for males, with Upper West second and Ashanti Region third, while Upper West was the overall regional best for females, with Ashanti Region second and Upper East Region third.

Go here to see the original:
'There are many job opportunities in sports' - Director-General of NSA - GhanaWeb

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its annual Sheep Worrying by Dogs survey for 2022.

The survey aims, every year, to gain up to date insight on sheep worrying by dogs and the impact it has on the UK sheep industry.

All sheep farmers, whether they have experienced issues with sheep worrying or not, are invited by the association to contribute to the survey.

The survey will be open from now until March 25, 2022, and can be completed online, via the sheep worrying section of the NSA website.

The survey has been launched at a time when the ewes of sheep farmers are in the final stages of pregnancy or have young lambs at foot, meaning the risk of miscarriage or mis-mothering due to stress from a sheep worrying attack is increased.

According to the NSA, the association is receiving regular calls from distressed farmers.

NSA receives calls from distressed sheep farmers who have experienced attacks on their flocks on a very regular basis," said NSA policy and technical officer, Sean Riches.

As a nation of animal lovers, it is difficult to comprehend how these devastating attacks are allowed to continue. This is a serious welfare issue, where sheep are regularly subjected to threats by dogs who chase and cause physical harm," he added.

Recent changes in legislation have been proposed to try and tackle the issue but NSA believes these do not go farm enough, failing to contain sufficient deterrents to prevent attacks happening and while in Scotland the legislation has been strengthened, NSA feels there is an increased need for dog owner education to reinforce the unpredictable behaviour of even a well-trained dog.

View original post here:
NSA launches its 2022 sheep worrying survey - Agriland.co.uk - Agriland.co.uk

The two sports federations responsible for flying high the countrys flag in the Tokyo Olympics wont be missed out in the March 14 San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) and the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) are both going to be honored with the National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year Award as they played crucial roles in assuring the Philippines most glorious Olympic campaign ever.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz delivered the historic first ever Olympic gold medal for the country, while boxers Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, and Eumir Marcial accounted for three other medals to cap the Filipino delegations most productive stint in its history of Olympic participation.

SWP president Monico Puentevella and ABAP prexy Ricky Vargas are expected to receive the award in behalf of their respective associations during the special event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Cignal TV.

Vargas had since been succeeded by former executive director Ed Picson as head of the countrys governing body for boxing.

This marks the first time the weightlifting association will be honored with the recognition by the countrys oldest media organization, while ABAP is going to be feted with the same award for the third straight year.

As expected, the 31-year-old Diaz was the hands down choice as the 2021 Athlete of the Year by the countrys oldest media organization during the gala night at the Diamond Hotel and backed by MILO (official choco milk), 1Pacman, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philracom, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Chooks To Go, MVP Sports Foundation, and Smart.

Paalam and Petecio, meanwhile, provided a pair of silver, and Marcial a bronze to join Diaz in the Olympic podium.

For their feat, the three boxers will be honored each with a Major Award during the traditional awards night.

The three medals won by ABAP is also the most by the federation in its long history of competing in the quadrennial showpiece.

SIGN UP TO DAILY NEWSLETTER

Originally posted here:
Weightlifting, boxing share NSA of the Year Award - Manila Bulletin