As bulls go out to mop up and serve repeat cows and cows yet to be served, bull safety needs to come to the fore - the reality is you can never be careful enough.

Following a couple of weeks of artificial insemination (AI), many farmers will let the stock bull out in the coming days or weeks.

Health and Safety Authority (HSA) figures show that bulls were involved in over 18% of livestock-related deaths on Irish farms between 2010 and 2019.

It does not matter how quiet a bull might seem or how good their temperament is, every bull must be treated with respect and caution.

The risk of a bull attack occurring is at its highest during breeding season, and there are a number of preventative measures that can be taken to prevent any incident from happening.

It is a legal requirement to put a ring in a bull’s nose when they are 10-months-old. When the bull is out at grass, a chain is also recommended, so one can gain some sort of control if the bull was to attack.

Carrying a walking stick when walking through the fields with animals is not a bad idea, and one should always keep the bull in your sight at all times and never turn your back to him.

Also, when a bull is in the field, using a vehicle to herd the cows whenever you can is advisable, as it will allow for a quick escape in the event that the bull begins to act up.

Unless in a vehicle, children should not be around the cows when there is a bull running with them, as the bull can become territorial.

It must be remembered that as a bull matures, their temperament will change - they will move through stages of playful aggression as a yearling to defensive, territorial aggression as a two to three-year-old.

Although a bull should not be overfamiliar with people - keeping a safe distance at all times – a bull should be still familiar and associate with people through positive experiences like feeding.

Where the public have access to a field where a bull is present, a ‘beware of bull’ notice should be visible on the entrance gates.

According to the HSA, many of the bulls attack that occur during the main breeding season take place in open fields.

If a bull does decide to turn on you, turning around and trying to run away from it will only invite it to chase after you – are you faster than a bull?

If you are cornered, it is advised to spread your arms wide while facing the bull and trying to slowly move out of its proximity.

A mobile phone should be kept on you so you can call for help if needed. In addition, someone should know where you are and a first aid kit should be kept on the farm.