Apple growers in Michigan and other states fear they face a new challenge that may be too big to overcome.

They are worried that China may flood the United States market with fresh apples in the coming years.

Apple growers remember what happened in the 1990's when china began selling apple juice concentrate in the United States.

Prices got so low; some United States juice companies were forced out of the domestic market.

Now, with the farm bill up for renewal this year, apple growers are pressing for more federal funding to develop technologies to make harvesting less costly.

Michigan ranks behind only Washington, New York and California in apple production.