SAN DIEGO -- A huge labor shortage may cost the agricultural business billions of dollars during this winter's harvest, 10News reported.

Immigration reform advocate Luawanna Hallstrom says the country, state and especially the county agricultural industry is in big trouble.

"We don't have enough people out here who are willing to go through difficulties for these jobs," said Hallstrom.

The bottom line is there is a huge farming labor shortage. Officials say increased border enforcement, growing competition from other industries, such as construction and hospitality, and the lack of guest worker programs are crippling the industry.

A House bill was passed last Friday that would require mandatory detention of many illegal immigrants, stiffer penalties for employers who hire them and broadening the immigrant-smuggling statute.

The bill would also mandate building 700 miles of fencing betweeen the U.S. and Mexico border, 10News reported.

"It doesn't really addrees (the) full situation in this country. It certainly isn't going (to) help us provide a domestic food source," Hallstrom said.

Hallstrom says the shortage in labor could effect consumers.

"I would imagine that people will have to pay higher prices for foods coming from other countries," Hallstrom said.

Agricultural officials say they're optimistic new guest worker programs with Mexico will happen in the next couple of years.