Abstract Delayed winter hair coat loss in beef cows through the spring and summer may contribute to heat stress and reduce herd performance. This study evaluated the performance history of cows in the years that preceded scoring and during the first year, cows were scored for hair shedding levels. Hair shedding levels of purebred Dexter cows (n = 72; mean age = 5.6 years; mean body weight = 321.6 kg) in the university herd were recorded based on the percentage of their body exhibiting winter hair loss (0% = thick winter coat, 100% = short summer coat) at eight biweekly evaluation periods from April to August 2019. Hair shedding levels were observed by two herd managers. Average hair shedding levels for the eight periods were 9%, 31%, 58%, 73%, 83%, 93%, 96%, and 96%, respectively. Cow reproductive performance from 2016 to 2020 (reflective of 2015 to 2019 breeding seasons) and calf growth performance from 2016 to 2019 were analyzed. Cows were exposed to Dexter bulls by natural service annually for an average of 56 days in July and August. Spring-born calves (n =39) were weighed at birth, at the midpoint of the preweaning period (3.5 mo of age), and at weaning (7 mo of age). Hair shedding levels averaged across periods 3 (May 20-21) and 4 (June 3-4) were used to classify cows as low shedders (0 to 50%; LoShed; n = 26) or high shedders (51 to 100%; HiShed; n = 46). Calf weights were tested using SAS MIXED models. Along with dam hair shedding group, dam lactation history, dam hair color, and calf sex were also used as model terms. Cow reproductive rates (n = 239 matings) were tested using SAS GLIMMIX models that included hair shed class, lactation history, and hair color. The HiShed cow group had greater (P < 0.01) winter hair shedding levels compared with the LoShed cow group (86 ± 2% vs. 30 ± 3%). Birth weight was not affected (P = 0.39) by dam shedding level. The midpoint calf weights tended to be heavier (P = 0.07) for HiShed cows than for LoShed cows (91.9 ± 3.7 vs. 84.9 ± 4.6 kg). Calf weaning weights were heavier (P < 0.05) for HiShed cows than for LoShed cows (139.8 ± 7.0 vs.26.3 ± 8.2 kg). Calving rates and weaning rates were greater (P < 0.05) for HiShed cows (86.9 ± 5.3%; 86.8 ± 5.2%) than for LoShed cows (78.9 ± 8.1%; 77.3 ± 8.2%). Results indicated that cow groups based on high or low winter hair shedding level had historically different reproductive rates and calf weaning weights. The high shedding cow group weaned heavier calves and had greater levels of reproductive success.