The Iowa Association of Business and Industry and MidWestOne Bank announced today the winner of the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition: the CP770 cotton picker, manufactured by John Deere in Ankeny.

“Dedicated employees at Des Moines Works have been assembling cotton pickers in Ankeny since 1950,” Rosalind Fox, John Deere factory manager, said in a press release. “We will forever innovate on behalf of our customers, committed to delivering the world’s most advanced cotton harvesting equipment to their fields. Every day, our employees arrive with pride, eager to serve our customers. This award belongs to everyone who has contributed to the success of the CP770, from concept to fabrication, assembly to delivery, and everything in between. We all continue to push boundaries to better serve farmers around the world.”

For this year’s competition, 69 products were nominated, representing manufacturers from 51 Iowa communities. After an initial public voting round and a head-to-head bracket-style tournament, four finalists competed for the title. More than 93,000 votes were cast throughout the contest.

“ABI has proudly supported Iowa’s manufacturing industry for more than a century, and companies like John Deere are a big part of that story,” said Nicole Crain, ABI president. “From early cotton pickers to today’s high-tech CP770, John Deere represents how Iowa manufacturers continue to evolve, innovate and lead. Just like the industries we serve, ABI has grown and adapted — always with a focus on supporting the people, products, and progress that drive our state forward.

The CP770 uses less fuel and has a larger cab than previous models. It features a 13.6 liter, 555 horsepower engine and transports at 20 mph with a 4.6 mph top harvest speed.