akash singhal wrote:In an effort to shorten the time span and cut the costs needed to raise full-size
beef stock, many ranchers substitute cornmeal and ground bones for their cattle's
regular diet, branded by them to become generic-grade beef.

(A) for their cattle's regular diet, branded by them
(B) for the regular diet of their cattle that have been branded
(C) for the regular diet of their cattle, having been branded
(D) in place of their cattle's regular diet, for those of them branded
(E) in place of the regular diet of their cattle to have been branded by them

GMATGuruNY wrote:

akash singhal wrote:In an effort to shorten the time span and cut the costs needed to raise full-size
beef stock, many ranchers substitute cornmeal and ground bones for their cattle's
regular diet, branded by them to become generic-grade beef.

(A) for their cattle's regular diet, branded by them
(B) for the regular diet of their cattle that have been branded
(C) for the regular diet of their cattle, having been branded
(D) in place of their cattle's regular diet, for those of them branded
(E) in place of the regular diet of their cattle to have been branded by them

Generally, COMMA + VERBed serves to modify the preceding noun.
In A, branded seems to modify diet, implying that the DIET was BRANDED.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate A.

Generally, COMMA + having + VERBed serves to refer to the preceding subject.
In C, having been branded seems to refer to many ranchers, implying that MANY RANCHERS have BEEN BRANDED.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate C.

In D and E, substitute and in place of are redundant.
Eliminate D and E.

The correct answer is B.

akash singhal wrote: Thanks for the reply...
Here, as you gave reasons to remove A and C, can we apply that reasons everywhere?