**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** MICRONEEDLE PATCHES FOR TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY HAVE SHOWN PROMISE IN HUMAN HEALTHCARE BUT HAVE BEEN UNDERUTILIZED IN VETERINARY MEDICINE. CURRENT APPROACHES FOR ADMINISTERING MEDICATION TO LIVESTOCK SUFFER FROM HARSH APPLICATION APPROACHES. WE PROPOSE THAT A PATCH-TYPE DRUG DELIVERY METHOD COULD SIMPLIFY THE INDUSTRY'S NEED FOR LONGER TERM DRUG ADMINISTRATION. OUR RESEARCH TEAM WILL PLAN TO DEVELOPED A BIODEGRADABLE MICRONEEDLE PATCH CONTAINING MELOXICAM TO PROVIDE PAIN MANAGEMENT DURING ROUTINE PROCEDURES. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP AND EVALUATE THE USE OF OUR ENGINEERED MICRONEEDLE PATCH IN CATTLE. THIS GOAL WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY EVALUATING OUR OBJECTIVES REGARDING THE EFFICACY OF THE ENGINEERED PATCH TO MANAGE PAIN OF CATTLE FOLLOWING A CASTRATION PROCEDURE, AND TO ASSESS THE LONG TERM EFFECT OF THE PATCH ON CATTLE GROWTH AND BEHAVIOR. WE EXPECT THAT THE MICRONEEDLE PATCH WILL DELIVER ACCURATE DOSES OF MELOXICAM FOR EXTENDED PAIN MANAGEMENT. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT WILL RESULT IN NOVEL TECHNOLOGY TO MANAGE PAIN IN CATTLE THAT IS EASIER TO IMPLEMENT THAN CURRENT STRATEGIES.