We dock tails here, put elastrator bands on them when they are calves. We leave a longer tail, just short enough so it doesn't grow a switch. Probably ends up 12-18" long as adults. Makes a better handle if you have to tail up a cow for some reason.

We spray and oil our cows, plus put out the fly predators for fly control. Still have a few, but not many-especially compared to what I have seen on some farms.