diff --git a/husbandry.lua b/husbandry.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..33cfe68498
--- /dev/null
+++ b/husbandry.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+
+-- From workorder.lua 
+---------------------------8<-----------------------------
+
+-- local start = dfhack.getTickCount()
+
+local utils = require 'utils'
+
+local world = df.global.world
+local uu = dfhack.units
+
+local function isValidAnimal(u)
+    -- this should also check for the absence of misc trait 55 (as of 50.09), but we don't
+    -- currently have an enum definition for that value yet
+    return uu.isOwnCiv(u)
+        and uu.isAlive(u)
+        and uu.isAdult(u)
+        and uu.isActive(u)
+        and uu.isFortControlled(u)
+        and uu.isTame(u)
+        and not uu.isMarkedForSlaughter(u)
+        and not uu.getMiscTrait(u, df.misc_trait_type.Migrant, false)
+end
+
+-- true/false or nil if no shearable_tissue_layer with length > 0.
+local function canShearCreature(u)
+    local stls = world.raws.creatures
+        .all[u.race]
+        .caste[u.caste]
+        .shearable_tissue_layer
+
+    local any
+    for _, stl in ipairs(stls) do
+        if stl.length > 0 then
+            for _, bpi in ipairs(stl.bp_modifiers_idx) do
+                any = { u.appearance.bp_modifiers[bpi], stl.length }
+                if u.appearance.bp_modifiers[bpi] >= stl.length then
+                    return true, any
+                end
+            end
+        end
+    end
+
+    if any then return false, any end
+    -- otherwise: nil
+end
+
+---------------------------8<-----------------------------
+
+local function canMilkCreature(u)
+    if uu.isMilkable(u) and not uu.isPet(u) then
+        local mt_milk = uu.getMiscTrait(u, df.misc_trait_type.MilkCounter, false)
+        if not mt_milk then return true else return false end
+    else
+        return nil
+    end
+end
+
+function hasJobType(workshop, jobtype)
+    for _, job in ipairs(workshop.jobs) do
+	if job.job_type == jobtype then return true end
+    end
+    return false
+end
+
+
+function addWorkshopJob(workshop, job_type, rep, priority)
+    local ref = df.general_ref_building_holderst:new()
+    ref.building_id = workshop.id
+
+    local job = df.job:new()
+    job.job_type = job_type
+    job.pos = {
+        x = workshop.centerx,
+        y = workshop.centery,
+        z = workshop.z
+    }
+    job.flags['repeat'] = rep
+    job.flags.do_now = priority
+    job.general_refs:insert("#", ref)
+    workshop.jobs:insert("#", job)
+
+    dfhack.job.linkIntoWorld(job, true)
+    dfhack.job.checkBuildingsNow()
+end
+
+-- squared distance is enough for ordering by distance
+local function distance2 (x1,y1,x2,y2)
+    return (math.abs(x1-x2)^2 + math.abs(y1-y2)^2)
+end
+
+-- local start2 = dfhack.getTickCount()
+
+-- organize workshops by z-level
+local workshops_by_z = {}
+for _, workshop in ipairs(df.global.world.buildings.other.WORKSHOP_FARMER) do
+    table.insert(ensure_key(workshops_by_z, workshop.z), workshop)
+end
+
+for _, unit in ipairs(world.units.active) do
+    if not isValidAnimal(unit) then goto skip end
+
+    local shear = canShearCreature(unit)
+    local milk  = canMilkCreature(unit)
+
+    if not shear and not milk then goto skip end
+
+    -- print(dfhack.units.getReadableName(unit),'shear:', shear, 'milk:', milk)
+
+    -- locate closest farmers workshop (on same z level)
+    local closest = nil
+    local distance = nil
+    for _, workshop in pairs(workshops_by_z[unit.pos.z] or {}) do
+	local d = distance2(unit.pos.x, unit.pos.y, workshop.centerx, workshop.centery)
+	if not closest or d < distance then
+	    closest = workshop
+	    distance = d
+	end
+    end
+
+    -- enure that closest workshop has the appropriate jobs
+    if closest and #closest.jobs < 5 then
+	if milk and not hasJobType(closest, df.job_type.MilkCreature) then
+	    addWorkshopJob(closest, df.job_type.MilkCreature, false, false)
+	end
+	if shear and not hasJobType(closest, df.job_type.ShearCreature) then
+	    addWorkshopJob(closest, df.job_type.ShearCreature, false, false)
+	end
+    end
+
+    ::skip::
+end
+
+-- local end_ = dfhack.getTickCount()
+-- print ('Ticks:', start2 - start, end_ - start)